RUGBY SEVENS: The men's and women's Aussie Sevens begin their World Series campagin in Dubai, with both squads welcoming back key players.
Men's Coach Tim Walsh, named a full-strength squad for the season kick-off, with Maurice Longbottom joining the team after missing the Oceania Sevens with injury, while Waratahs back rower Michael Wells sees his first World Series cap since 2014.
Wells joined the Australian Sevens squad at the start of preseason and will be an integral part of the team before the Waratahs' Super Rugby campaign kicks into top gear.
"The team has worked hard throughout pre-season and we have been looking forward to the World Series kicking off and getting our campaign underway," Walsh said.
"Michael (Wells) is really excited about his returning cap for Australia. He played well at the Oceania Sevens Championship and is always looking to improve himself in Sevens."
Lewi Holland will captain the side, with Jesse Parahi and Nick Malouf serving as his deputies.
Meanwhile, Alicia Quirk will re-join her team mates on the playing field when she runs out for round two of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Dubai on Friday 30 November, alongside debutants Lily Dick and Sariah Paki.
Quirk has overcome a knee injury sustained during the Sevens Rugby World Cup to be back to full fitness.
Dick and Paki will make their debuts for Australia having come through the ranks of the AON University Sevens Series with the University of Queensland and Macquarie University respectively.
Both players have also represented Australia in the Aussie Girls Youth team in previous years.
Australia goes into round two of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Dubai in fifth place, despite only dropping one match in round one of the Series at the USA 7s last month.
The Aussie Women’s Sevens side will face England, China and the team round one runners up, USA in the battle to top Pool B.
Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens Head Coach, John Manenti said: “The team has been working really hard since the USA7s and we are looking forward to getting back out playing again.
“Having Alicia back is a big boost for the squad, she’s a tireless worker on the field and will bring plenty of big tournament experience to our campaign.
“It’s great to be officially expanding our Aussie Women’s Sevens family with two new caps for Lily and Sariah.
“Both players have done really well in the last few months with exceptional performances across the Aon University Sevens Series as well as for our Development side that won the Oceania Sevens Championship earlier this month.
“They’ll bring new energy to the squad for Dubai and they’re looking forward to their World Series debut.”
You can catch the games below and follow along on the LIVE STREAM HERE
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 29
7.44pm - Australian Womens v England
10.40pm -Australian Womens v China
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 30 (Fox Sports 507)
1.59am - Australian Womens 7s v USA
6.36pm - Australian Mens 7s v Japan
10.20pm - Australian Mens 7s v Canada
SATURDAY DECEMBER 1 (Fox Sports 507)
3.37am - Australian Mens 7s v England
Men's Squad
1. Lewis Holland (c), Queanbeyan, 38 caps
2. Jesse Parahi (vc), Norths (Sydney), 40 caps
3. Nick Malouf (vc), 22 caps
4. Ben O’Donnell, Randwick, 9 caps
5. John Porch, Norths (Sydney), 17 caps
6. Michael Wells, Norths (Sydney), 2 caps
7. Liam McNamara, Sunnybank, 8 caps
8. Tim Anstee, Eastwood, 19 caps
9. Boyd Killingworth, Warringah, 18 caps
10. Maurice Longbottom, Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team, 7 caps
11. Henry Hutchison, Randwick, 16 caps
12. Lachie Anderson, Eastwood, 16 caps
13. Brandon Quinn, Gordon, 8 caps
Women's Squad
1. Samantha Treherne, Griffith University, 1 cap
2. Sharni Williams, University of Canberra, 25 caps
3. Sariah Paki*, Macquarie University
4. Dominique Du Toit, Macquarie University, 11 caps
5. Yasmin Meakes, Canberra University, 4 caps
6. Evania Pelite, University of Adelaide, 19 caps,
7. Charlotte Caslick, Bond University, 27 caps
8. Lily Dick*, University of Queensland
9. Emma Sykes, University of Tasmania, 11 caps
10. Alicia Quirk, University of New England, 24 caps
11. Page McGregor, Macquarie University, 4 caps
12. Ellia Green, University of Tasmania, 20 caps
*Uncapped
