First Nations Pasifika is ready to make further waves on the global scale at the Hong Kong 10s.
Off the back of their memorable debut against the British & Irish Lions last year, the combined team will feature at the 40th anniversary of the famous event, showcasing the best emerging talent in the country.
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It includes Jarrah McLeod, who featured in that game in July, going on to make his Australia Sevens debut in Perth.
McLeod is one of four to have played this year for the Australian team, including Hadley Tonga and Ethan McFarland.
Beau Morrison has also been named, one of several non-First Nations players added to bolster the squad and grow the depth within the pathways.
Legendary Wallaby Glen Ella coaches the team, with RA First Nations Manager Matt Sontar eager to continue the program's legacy.
“It was off the success of the team in Melbourne against the British & Irish Lions and there’s been quite a unique opportunity through Rugby Australia, which is that we could keep the brand alive and run it doing something with the Hong Kong 10s," Sontar told Rugby.com.au.
“It’s not an original format of 7s or 15s, but the uniqueness of it is that it partnered with the World Series, which the Sevens have, so Rugby Australia and those guys have helped us work out a plan of attack for First Nations Pasifika.
“We’ve put the wheels into motion with Glen Ella and Simon Raiwalui and myself, who were all involved in Melbourne and then started to identify all of our younger or developing players in and around our system in Rugby in Australia to give them an international stage to play on.”
The team will face French powerhouse Bordeaux-Begles, HKFC Natixis Club and Rugby Tens Select in the group stages, with Sontar embracing the stage and challenge.
“That’s the joy of it, right? We name a bunch of athletes linked with our Sevens or Super clubs but we’ve also got guys that have jumped out of the wilderness playing John I Dent Cup or Hospital Cup and really giving them a chance to put them on a world stage," he said.
“These guys will play against international teams of players that have Test caps and it’s a really good opportunity for them to wear the jersey and keep the jersey alive. In First Nations Pasifika, it’s the joy of every single one of these guys representing their families and our connected histories, which is unique.”
Sontar was hopeful the stage would allow for more stars like McLeod to break out and showcase their talent, running before the World Series event, which kicks off on the weekend.
“It was six years ago at the Brumbies we identified Jarrah from Nowra, and we brought him in, and he’s worked his backside off,” he explained. “He’s come through the academy and then the unique nature of him making his professional debut against the British & Irish Lions in this jersey 12 months ago, and then you take another six months and Jarrah debuts for the Australian Sevens in Perth.
“He’s a real leader and somebody that is in this squad where the boys can look up to and see that dreams are possible. You then look at guys like Gage Phillips and Bailey Roberts, even Garlen Peace, who was brought in for Australia A and played Coral Coast Sevens as an absolutely unknown and just went bang on the radar.
“It’s just opportunities we’re really working at, and we’re in such a unique space, and I think that makes it so exciting is that Rugby Australia has invested in our lives and is building those relationships.”
Logan Aldridge, Malakye Enasio, Oliver Harvey, Ethan McFarland, Jarrah McLeod Ahern, Chris Mickelson, Beau Morrison, BJ Oates, Chace Oates, Garlen Peace, Gage Phillips, Bailey Roberts-Lintmeijer, John Samuelu, Siave Seti, Samuel Toa, Hadley Tonga, Jordan Williams, Chaise Robinson
- Match 1: First Nations & Pasifika v Rugby Tens Select on Wednesday 15 April at 9:30 (local time).
- Match 2: First Nations & Pasifika v HKFC Natixis Club on Wednesday 15 April at 13:55 (local time).
- Match 3: First Nations & Pasifika v UBB 10s on Wednesday 15 April at 17:05 (local time).
- Seeding Matches: First Nations & Pasifika v TBC on Thursday 16 April at TBC (local time)
