Aon Uni Sevens stars to step up at Oceania Sevens

Tue, Nov 6, 2018, 1:00 AM
Rugby Australia
by Rugby Australia
Aon Sevens Jakiya Whitfield. Photo: Rugby AU Media
Aon Sevens Jakiya Whitfield. Photo: Rugby AU Media

The Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens team for the Oceania Sevens Championship in Fiji has been named with Head Coach John Manenti opting to reward the stars of the Aon University Sevens Series in 2018 with an opportunity to impress in national colours.

Rhiannon Byers, Kennedy Cherrington, Jakiya Whitfeld, Laurie Waldie, Madison Ashby, Hagiga Mosby and Eva Karpani will be part of the Australian side, looking to challenge for the Oceania Sevens Championship which kicks off this Friday November 9 at ANZ Stadium, Suva.

Australia has Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Narau in Pool A. Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens Head Coach, John Manenti said: “The Oceania Sevens Championship is a great opportunity for us to test our next generation of elite talent against the best in the region.

“The Aon University Sevens Series allowed us to see some fantastic players in proper series conditions and the seven players we are taking to Fiji have the chance now to really step up in the gold jersey.

“Sariah Paki and Jakiya Whitfeld have been in our youth development programs and I’m keen to see how they adapt to International Rugby following on from two very strong seasons of Aon Sevens.

“Page McGregor and Cassie Staples will be present from the regular squad, with both players keen to get more game time under their belt ahead of round two of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Dubai.

“For the team, being able to play in Suva is going to be quite an experience. We know how much Sevens is a religion in Fiji and the team is looking forward to the experience.”

1. Lily Dick, Griffith University

2. Rhiannon Byers, University of New England

3. Kennedy Cherrington, Macquarie University

4. Sariah Paki, Macquarie University

5. Cassie Staples, University of New England

6. Page McGregor, Macquarie University 

7. Jakiya Whitfeld, University of Sydney 

8. Laura Waldie, Griffith University 

9. Madison Higgins-Ashby, Macquarie University 

10. Hagiga Mosby, University of Queensland 

11. Eva Karpani, University of Adelaide 

12. Mahalia Murphy, University of Adelaide 

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