AUSTRALIAN men’s sevens coach Andy Friend has retained the same 12-man squad, which includes Shoalhaven product Tom Connor, for this weekend’s Vancouver Sevens.
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Australia finished sixth in Las Vegas last weekend after a nailbiting extra-time defeat to New Zealand in the fifth-place playoff.
Australia is currently in fourth position on the HSBC Sevens World Series ladder, only seven points off Fiji in third place while they are five points clear of Argentina in fifth.
Australian captain Lewis Holland and forward Jesse Parahi led by example in Vegas while Ben O’Donnell’s star continues to rise after taking home the DHL Impact Player of the United States Sevens.
Australia have been drawn in Pool A alongside hosts Canada, Uruguay and the United States, who took out their home tournament in Las Vegas.
“It’s the first time I’ve kept the same side since I’ve been in charge of the program, so that’s pretty exciting,” Australian men’s sevens coach Andy Friend said.
“There were a few injuries coming out of Vegas but we weren’t one of the teams so it’s pleasing to be able to name the same 12.
“Sevens is about combinations, it’s about the same people understanding each other’s play.
“We had three new guys come into the team post Hamilton so for those guys to have played Vegas and now double up into Vancouver is going to be a good thing.
Australian men’s sevens fixtures at Vancouver (Sunday, March 11):
- Australia vs Canada, 6.42am AEDT
- Australia vs Uruguay, 10.14am AEDT
- Australia vs USA, 2.08pm AEDT
Australian men’s squad: 1. Charlie Taylor, 2. Tom Connor, 3. Jeral Skelton, 4. Lewis Holland, 5. James Stannard, 6. John Porch, 7. Tim Anstee, 8. Jesse Parahi, 9. Dylan Pietsch, 10. Ben O’Donnell, 11. Tom Lucas and 12. Lachie Anderson – with Brandon Quinn as 13th man.
