Fresh off confirming their squads for the 2025-26 HSBC World Series SVNS, the Aussie Men’s and Women’s sides have confirmed their teams that will head to The Sevens Stadium in Dubai for the season opener.
The resulting two teams see sides at different ends of the development cycle, with Liam Barry’s side set to blood three debutants, while Tim Walsh’s side has one of their strongest outfits yet as they chase a sixth consecutive title in the UAE City.
Watch the 2025-2026 HSBC SVNS Series live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Starting with the Women, the side will be bolstered with the current stock of players, joined by superstars returning from long stints away from the game.
Co-captain Madison Ashby and Kaitlin Shave headline the big returns, with both playing their first World Series events in over a year after recovering from long-term knee injuries.
Tia Hinds is also among the names returning after a successful stint in the Wallaroos, making the 2025 Rugby World Cup side, joining the likes of Maddison and Teagan Levi, Faith Nathan and co-captain Isabella Nasser to complete a dangerous outfit in gold.
The imposing squad will still be without Charlotte Caslick, who will miss the Dubai and Cape Town legs of the season due to personal reasons, joining Demi Kennewell (knee) and Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea (shoulder), who will both be slated to make their returns in March.
“We have enjoyed a strong pre-season jam-packed with rugby and off-field growth,” Women’s Head Coach Tim Walsh said in a statement.
“Unlike last season, we approach round one in Dubai with a fit, strong and mostly available squad, making selections a real pleasure.
“Every training session has been about winning the drill and delivering healthy competition to better each other.
“The anticipated return of Kaitlin Shave and co-captain Madison Ashby after being sidelined last season really adds a little spark to the team’s mindset.
“This season plays a crucial role in achieving our strategic objectives for the short, medium and long-term horizons.”
For the men, Former NSW Waratahs centre Harry Wilson and Queenslanders Will Cartwright and Ethan McFarland will make their debut in Dubai, with the latter two impressing after strong seasons in the Hospital Cup.
Dietrich Roache also returns to the side after missing last season with a knee injury, with Liam Barry also giving more time to exciting WA prospect Wallace Charlie after he made his debut in the Los Angeles final in May.
The three debutants will take the place of co-captain Henry Paterson, Michael Icely and James Turner, who all sustained injuries during preseason.
Paterson has been confirmed to miss the entire 2025/2026 series after suffering an ACL injury at training. Icely (shoulder) and Turner (foot) will miss the first four rounds, setting them up for a return at the Vancouver Sevens in March 2026.
“We are looking forward to the 2025/2026 season and have a new-look squad with three debutants in Dubai,” Men’s Head Coach Liam Barry said in a statement.
“It’s very exciting for Ethan, Will and Harry as they look to represent Australia and their families.
“Unfortunately, we have lost quality players Henry Paterson, James Turner and Michael Icely to injury, and they were unavailable for selection.
“But in turn, this provides others an opportunity to play on the world stage.”
The Women’s side will kick off their campaign with pool matches against Japan, Canada and Great Britain, while the men will face a tough pool stage against the likes of Spain, New Zealand and Great Britain.
2. Amahli Hala – 2 events
3. Faith Nathan – 32 events
4. Mackenzie Davis – 6 events
5. Teagan Levi – 25 events
6. Madison Ashby (c) – 25 events
8. Kaitlin Shave – 8 events
9. Tia Hinds – 20 events
10. Isabella Nasser (c) – 17 events
12. Maddison Levi – 26 events
13. Heidi Dennis – 6 events
22. Bienne Terita – 16 events
23. Ruby Nicholas – 10 events
65. Sariah Paki – 36 events
1. Henry Hutchison (c) – 59 events
2. Ben Dowling – 21 events
3. James McGregor – 2 events
4. Dietrich Roache – 28 events
7. Josh Turner – 37 events
9. Will Cartwright - debut
10. Ben Dalton – 9 events
11. Maurice Longbottom – 48 events
13. Jayden Blake – 6 events
23. Aden Ekanayake – 7 events
24. Ethan McFarland – debut
33. Harry Wilson – debut
77. Wallace Charlie – 1 event
Players unavailable for selection
Charlotte Caslick (personal reasons)
Demi Kennewell (knee) – Vancouver 7s
Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea (shoulder) – Vancouver 7s
Michael Icely (shoulder) – Vancouver 7s
Henry Paterson (knee) – 2026/2027 season
James Turner (foot) – Vancouver 7s
AUSTRALIA WOMEN
Saturday, November 29: Australia v Japan (6:42pm AEDT)
Saturday, November 29: Australia v Canada (10:05pm AEDT)
Sunday, November 30: Australia v Great Britain (1:11am AEDT)
AUSTRALIA MEN
Saturday, November 29: Australia v Spain (7:48pm AEDT)
Saturday, November 29: Australia v New Zealand (10:54pm AEDT)
Sunday, November 30: Australia v Great Britain (2:50am AEDT)
Dubai (29-30 November, 2025)
Cape Town (6-7 December, 2025)
Singapore (31 January-1 February, 2026)
Perth (7-8 February, 2026)
Vancouver (7-8 March, 2026)
New York (14-15 March, 2026)
Hong Kong (17-19 April, 2026)
Valladolid (29-31 May, 2026)
Bordeaux (5-7 June, 2026)
