The Australian Sevens teams have been boosted with the returns of experienced duo Jayden Blake and Demi Kennewell for the final two rounds of the HSBC SVNS World Championships in Valladolid and Bordeaux.
The pair missed the opening leg of the Championship in Hong Kong, with the Women's and Men's sides sitting in second and sixth, respectively.
Watch every second of the 2026 SVNS World Championship season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Blake was a late withdrawal from last month's event in Hong Kong due to a quad strain, with his replacement, Ethan McFarland, staying in the 14-player squad for the double header, beginning in Spain on May 29-31.
Australia’s Men will meet Kenya, Great Britain and South Africa in the pool stages, with coach Liam Barry looking to build on their strong start before losing in the quarter-finals.
“We’re looking forward to heading over to Spain this week and preparing for the final two events of the season," Barry said.
“We had a great opening day in Hong Kong but we will need to be a lot more clinical when we get to the knockout games which the players are fully aware of.
“We have had an excellent preparation window and we are fortunate to be able to travel with 14 for the next two events which will ensure flexibility in the squad if required.”
Meanwhile, Kennewell replaces Amahli Hala as he continues to return from a knee injury.
Hala is set to spend a stint in Japan alongside Heidi Dennis and more Aussie Sevens teammates later next month.
Co-captain Bella Nasser will bring up 25 tournaments, with the Aussies able to claim the World Championship by winning the final two tournaments.
“We have had a consistent and ‘good’ season thus far but our expectations are to have a ‘great’ season and that means winning the World Championship," coach Tim Walsh said.
“We have many challenges ahead and are prepared for what awaits us in Europe.
“We are fielding our most experienced team this season headlined by captain Bella Nasser reaching the 25-cap mark.”
The Aussie Women clash with South Africa, Fiji and USA in the pool stages, with the teams flying out to Spain on Thursday.
3. Faith Nathan – 39 events
5. Teagan Levi – 31 events
6. Madison Ashby (c) – 32 events
8. Kaitlin Shave – 13 events
9. Tia Hinds – 28 events
10. Isabella Nasser (c) – 24 events
11. Demi Kennewell – 30 events
12. Maddison Levi – 34 events
13. Heidi Dennis – 13 events
15. Kahli Henwood – 12 events
22. Bienne Terita – 22 events
55. Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea – 17 events
65. Sariah Paki – 42 events
1. Henry Hutchison (c) – 66 events
2. Ben Dowling – 27 events
3. James McGregor – 9 events
4. Dietrich Roache – 34 events
7. Josh Turner – 44 events
10. Ben Dalton – 16 events
11. Maurice Longbottom – 52 events
13. Jayden Blake – 12 events
14. James Turner – 25 events
23. Aden Ekanayake – 14 events
24. Ethan McFarland – 7 events
33. Harry Wilson – 7 events
49. Archie Saunders – 3 events
77. Wallace Charlie – 8 events
Players unavailable for selection
- Will Cartwright (shoulder) – 2026/2027 season
- Charlotte Caslick (pregnancy) – 2026/2027 season
- Henry Paterson (knee) – 2026/2027 season
AUSTRALIA WOMEN
- Friday 29 May: Australia v South Africa (6:22pm AEST)
- Friday 29 May: Australia v Fiji (10:51pm AEST)
- Saturday 30 May: Australia v USA (6:22pm AEST)
AUSTRALIA MEN
- Friday 29 May: Australia v Kenya (8:12pm AEST)
- Saturday 30 May: Australia v Great Britain (12:46am AEST)
- Saturday 30 May: Australia v South Africa (9:23pm AEST)
