Australia Sevens co-captain Henry Paterson and young guns Jayden Blake and Ethan McFarland have extended their contracts for the 2026-2027 season.
Paterson has missed the past 12 months after rupturing his ACL during training last year but is on the comeback trail eyeing a return at the Kick on Sevens in October.
The son of former Sydney Roosters forward Trevor Paterson, Henry represented Australia at the Paris Olympics in 2024 while he was also part of the Commonwealth Games squad in 2022.
Blake earned his first Aussie Sevens contract for the 2024/2025 season, where he made his debut in Cape Town.
He played at six events, scoring two tries, along with some miraculous defensive efforts during his maiden season, before backing up with a further seven tournaments in 2026.
A winger, fullback or centre, Blake was part of Randwick's Shute Shield premiership-winning first grade team and has come through the NSW Waratahs Academy and Pathways system.
McFarland joined the Australia Sevens program in 2025 after impressive performances during the pre-season combines and trials in New Zealand.
McFarland played in nine events in his maiden season and scored a decisive try during the title-winning Valladolid leg of the series.
The Brisbane-born centre started playing rugby when he was nine for Pine Rivers Rugby Club before joining GPS Rugby.
Director of High Performance Peter Horne said: “We look forward to seeing Henry back on the field soon and his leadership within the squad will be valuable in 2026-2027.
“Jayden and Ethan are exciting players coming through the program and complement our experience in the group.
“Jayden’s speed and athleticism has been on show in his first two seasons and we expect Ethan to build on his first year after impressing the coaching staff.”
Paterson is on track to return ahead of the new season while Blake and McFarland are competing in the Ultimate Sevens in Europe.
Henry Paterson
- DOB: 26/2/1997
- School: Waverley College
- Debut: Spain 7s 2022
- Events: 30
- Tries: 60
- Points: 300
- Olympics: 1 - Paris (2024)
Jayden Blake
- DOB: 10/8/2002
- School: Dubbo College
- Debut: Cape Town 7s 2024
- Events: 13
- Tries: 13
- Points: 65
Ethan McFarland
- DOB: 13/11/2002
- School: The Gap State High School
- Debut: Dubai 7s 2025
- Events: 9
- Tries: 1
- Points: 5
