The Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens team has been named for their first major hit out, ahead of the commencement of the 2018-2019 HSBC Sevens World Series, with the Oceania Sevens Championship, kicking off this Friday 9 November in Suva, Fiji.
Head Coach Tim Walsh has named a full-strength squad, following on from an intense period of pre-season training as the Aussie 7s prepare for what will be an Olympic Qualifying year for Australia. Returning to the playing fields for the Aussie 7s Men’s side will be vice-captain Nick Malouf, who last played for Australia at the London Sevens in 2017 for before starting a stint at English club, Leicester Tigers.
Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens Head Coach, Tim Walsh said: “We have been busy preparing for the HSBC Sevens World Series, and the Oceania Sevens Championship is an important part of our preparation before we kick off in Dubai.
“We will get to face off against the best in our region, with varying styles of Rugby to test ourselves against and playing at the spiritual home of Sevens in Fiji is a great way to kick off the international season.
“It’s great to have Nick (Malouf) back in the Sevens arena. A hard worker and well respected by his team mates, Nick has committed himself to be the best he can be, and it’s been driving elite standards within the group.
“Pre-season has been just how you would expect – shared experiences that have challenged the team mentally and physically with the odd curve ball thrown in”.
The Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens team will face Cook Islands and Vanuatu in the Pool Stages. Australia last won the Oceania Sevens Men’s championship in 2015.
1.Lewis Holland (c) 2. Jesse Parahi (vc) 3. Nick Malouf (vc) 4. Ben O’Donnell 5. John Porch 6. Michael Wells 7. Liam McNamara 8. Matthew Hood 9. Boyd Killingworth 10. Brandon Quinn 11. Henry Hutchison 12. Lachie Anderson 13. Tim Anstee.
