RUGBY SEVENS: Six rising stars from the University Sevens Series have been selected to join the wider Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens squad that will compete in Bendigo against New Zealand next week.
Mackenzie Sadler (University of Queensland), Page McGregor (Macquarie University), Katie Harrison (Macquarie University), Yasmin Meakes (University of Canberra), Olivia White (University of Tasmania) and Lauren Brown (Griffith University) will have the keen eye of Australian selectors and Head Coach Tim Walsh as Australia continues its preparation for the upcoming season.
The six selected players play across various positions and were all stars during the inaugural University Sevens Series.
Australia is taking on arch rivals New Zealand in a five-match series from Thursday October 19 to Saturday October 21 at Epsom Huntley Reserve, Bendigo.
Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens Head Coach, Tim Walsh said: “We’re really looking forward to taking Rugby Sevens to Bendigo and it’s going to be a fantastic opportunity to showcase Rugby Sevens in regional Victoria.
“New Zealand were the Champions for the 2016-2017 season and set the bench mark last year. This Series provides with an excellent opportunity to test ourselves as we continue our preparation for the HSBC Sevens World Series.
“The players who have been selected from the Aon University Sevens Series to join our squad have all shown real promise this year. Taking the next step to an International Series is going to test them on a whole new level and I look forward to seeing how they respond to that.”
The squad arrives in Bendigo on Tuesday October 17 and will participate in community engagement activities in between fixtures.
Australia v New Zealand fixtures, Bendigo
Thursday October 19
Australia vs New Zealand, 6.30pm AEDT
Friday October 20
Australia vs New Zealand, 3.30pm AEDT
Australia vs New Zealand, 6.30pm AEDT
Saturday October 21
Australia vs New Zealand, 3.30pm AEDT
Australia vs New Zealand, 6.30pm AEDT
Australian Squad to play New Zealand in Bendigo, Victoria:
Alicia Quirk (University of New England)
Charlotte Caslick (Bond University)
Mahalia Murphy (University of Adelaide)
Evania Pelite (University of Adelaide)
Sharni Williams (University of Canberra)
Emilee Cherry (University of Queensland)
Cassie Staples (University of Canberra)
Dom Du Toit (Macquarie University)
Nicole Beck (University of Tasmania)
Emma Sykes (University of Queensland)
Hannah Southwell (University of New England)
Brooke Walker (Bond University)
Shanice Parker (University of Tasmania)
Mackenzie Sadler (University of Queensland)
Page McGregor (Macquarie University)
Katie Harrison (Macquarie University)
Yasmin Meakes (University of Canberra)
Olivia White (University of Tasmania)
Lauren Brown (Griffith University)
