Aussie Sevens out to impress as they confirm squad for Dubai

Thu, Dec 2, 2021, 4:28 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

The Australian Men’s Sevens team have confirmed a largely unchanged side ahead of the second leg of the World Series in Dubai.

Vice-captain Maurice Longbottom is the only omission, replaced by the returning Stu Dunbar.

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Dunbar comes into the squad having made his debut in Los Angeles last February, featuring in Vancouver before the series was halted due to COVID.

After an impressive showing in the first leg, Nick Malouf will lead out the side in his 42nd event on the World Series.

"The crowds are back this weekend and Dubai puts on an exceptional 7s show and we aim to do the same," coach Tim Walsh said in a statement.

“The men’s sevens performance modelling is being executed and our new alignment and strategy is driving these objectives – to retain, recruit and develop.

“This saw LA’s Billy Meakes return to the Gold jersey seamlessly, Ben Dowling and Corey Toole from Super Rugby exploded onto the International circuit, and the young gun of the 7s engine room Dietrich Roache had a breakout tournament.

“We are balanced with experience, talent and leadership and we are sharpening the axe for round two this weekend in Dubai."

Dietrich Roache, who was the side's leading point scorer after a breakout event, retains his spot in the side alongside fellow Western Sydney Two Blue Solomone Vosaicake.

The pair headline the eight World Series debutants retained from last week, eager to impress after finishing fifth last week.

Whilst they were disappointed to fail in the quarter-finals to eventual champions South Africa, Roache and the side are taking plenty of confidence out of their performances.

"It was very disappointing to lose to South Africa. I feel like most teams would've given up there knowing they couldn't make the final but our young team, the way we bounced back we wanted to finish on a high and showed what we're all about," he told Rugby.com.au

"Coming into this week, we're going to be no different and it's going to be better from the boys and compete as hard we can.

"We know we've got the team to go all the way."

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The side will open its campaign against Kenya (4:44 pm AEDT), before facing Canada (8:58 pm), who they defeated 35-19 in the opening game last week.

They round out their Pool B fixtures against the USA (1:08 am), who finished second after stunning Fiji in the semi-finals.

All Australian matches will be live and free in Australia via the World Rugby YouTube and World Rugby Sevens Facebook page.

Australian Men’s Sevens Team for Dubai, 3-4 December

  1. Henry Hutchison, 34 caps
  2. Solomone Vosaicake, 1 cap
  3. Corey Toole, 1 cap
  4. Dietrich Roache, 1 cap
  5. Yool Yool, 1 cap
  6. Henry Paterson, 1 cap
  7. Josh Turner, 7 caps
  8. Ben Dowling, 1 cap
  9. Billy Meakes, 3 caps
  10. Nick Malouf, 41 caps
  11. Stuart Dunbar, 2 caps
  12. Kristian Jensen, 1 cap
  13. Jed Stuart, 1 cap

Fixtures:

Friday 3 December

Australia v Kenya, 4:44pm AEDT

Australia v Canada, 8:58pm AEDT

Saturday 4 December

USA v Australia, 1:08am AEDT

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