Australian Sevens sides confirmed for Dubai, Cape Town

Mon, Nov 28, 2022, 4:23 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
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The Australian Sevens sides have been confirmed as the HSBC World Series heads to Dubai and Cape Town.

This will see the Triple-Crown-winning Women begin their title defence, with coach Tim Walsh keeping a settled line-up as they prepare for back-to-back rounds

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Charlotte Caslick and Demi Hayes will again serve as co-captains, with Caslick recently named World Rugby Women's Sevens Player of the Year.

They are joined by Wallaroos duo Sharni Williams and Bienne Terita after their stint in the 15-a-side game during Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand.

“The opening tournament gives all teams the opportunity to execute off-season training strategies in the hope that they develop into competitive advantages,” said Walsh in a statement.

“We are expecting all teams to be at their best from the first game, and there is plenty at stake due to the promise of Olympic qualification.

“Our team has a unique style both on and off the field – everybody has a voice and an integral part to play.

“Last year, we proved we could go out there and consistently win – our objective this year is to better ourselves every single day.”

They will open their Dubai campaign on December 2 against China (4:22 pm AEDT), their first meeting since the Tokyo Olympics where the Aussies cruised to a 26-10 victory.

The defending Dubai champions round out Pool A with tough fixtures against Canada (8:27 pm) and USA (11:35 pm).

As for the Men, John Manenti has been forced into two changes from the side that claimed the opening leg in Hong Kong earlier in the month.

Darcy Lancaster (shin) and James Turner (quad) have been ruled out, set to miss Dubai and Cape Town after picking up injuries during the event.

This is offset by the return of Matt Gonzalez, who has recovered from a hamstring injury.

He is joined by debutant Jordan-Lee Bacon, with the Eastwood product rewarded with a sudden call-up after a breakthrough performance for Australia A during last week's Oceania Rugby Sevens Challenge.

“Though we enjoyed great success in Hong Kong, it doesn’t make our next step any easier – our Pool games against Kenya, Great Britain and South Africa will make for a tough Day One," Manenti said.

“We have never won the Dubai tournament, but we see this weekend as a great opportunity to make some more history.”

The side is once again captained by Nick Malouf, beginning their tournament against Kenya (6:56 pm).

This is followed by Great Britain (10:42 pm), who will compete as a combined entity in the 22-23 World Series, before a rematch of last year's Dubai Final against South Africa (December 3, 3:33 am).

Every game of the HSBC Dubai and Cape Town Sevens is live and exclusive on beIN SPORTS, available via Foxtel, Kayo, Fetch & beIN SPORTS CONNECT.

Australian Sevens squads for Dubai and Cape Town events:

Women

Charlotte Caslick (Co-captain)

Demi Hayes (Co-captain)

Madison Ashby

Lily Dick

Dominique Du Toit

Tia Hinds

Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea

Maddison Levi

Teagan Levi

Faith Nathan

Sariah Paki

Bienne Terita

Sharni Williams

Men

Nick Malouf (Captain)

Tim Clements

Stu Dunbar

Matt Gonzalez

Henry Hutchison

Nathan Lawson

Jordan-Lee Bacon*

Maurice Longbottom

Ben Marr

Kye Oates

Henry Paterson

Dietrich Roache

Josh Turner

*Denotes uncapped player

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