AUSTRALIAN SEVENS SELECTORS NAME POWERFUL "AUSSIE SPIRIT" TEAM FOR GOLD COAST INTERNATIONAL 7's
October 29: Australian Sevens selectors have named an "Aussie Spirit" squad laced with players boasting experience at IRB Sevens World Series events for an international tournament on the Gold Coast in November.
The Hyperion Gold Coast International 7's will be played at Albert Park, Surfers Paradise, on Saturday and Sunday, 7-8 November, with 16 men's teams and four women's sides competing.
Australian Sevens coach Michael O'Connor is treating the event as a valuable lead-in and selection trial ahead of the 2009-2010 IRB Sevens World Series circuit, which kicks off in Dubai on 4-5 December.
Australia will host the fifth leg of the World Series Sevens when the International Sevens Adelaide is staged at Adelaide Oval from 19-21 March.
Many in the "Aussie Spirit" side for the Gold Coast 7's have represented Australia at Sevens World Series level, while several fringe contenders will seek to force their way into this season's squad via the event in Surfers Paradise.
The Gold Coast tournament will also be staged less than a month after the International Olympic Committee announced Rugby Sevens as a new sport for the Games from 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.
It will be Rugby's return to the Olympics after four previous appearances in 1900, 1908, 1920 and 1924.
Australia won the gold medal in 1908 when the First Wallabies, on tour in the UK, beat English county champions Cornwall to claim the title at the London Games.
The Gold Coast tournament has also attracted teams from Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Samoa.
The Aussie Spirit squad is:
WILLIE BISHOP: Bishop's father and brother have both represented New Zealand and his uncle, Jamie Joseph, is a former All Black.
BERNARD FOLEY: The Sydney University fly half attended St Aloysius College and represented the NSW Schoolboys in 2007.
SHAUN FOLEY: Returned from a stint with the Roosters in the NRL last year and won selection in squad for Sevens World Series.
TALALELEI GRAY: Australian U20 squad member and with the Brumbies Academy.
ZACK HOLMES: Local WA product and up and coming wing/fullback who has contract with Force Academy.
BRACKIN KARAURIA-HENRY: Has a rugby league background, playing for the Sharks in the NRL from 2006 to 2008.
PATRICK McCUTCHEON: Played in Dubai and South Africa in 2007 and during 2009 travelled with the side to Europe for the England and Scotland legs of the IRB Sevens World Series.
EDWARD QUIRK: Has previously represented Queensland and Australia as a Schoolboy and is a member of the Queensland Reds Academy.
BRIAN SEFANAIA: An experienced Australian Sevens squad member, born in Tonga and has just turned 21.
CLINTON SILLS: Australian Sevens last year, Australian U20 this season and with the Brumbies Academy.
JAMES STANNARD: Made an appearance on the Australian Sevens side during 2009 for the England and Scotland legs of the IRB Sevens World Series.
JACOB TAYLOR: Up and coming fullback from Sydney University looking to break into the Sevens top flight.
ARU - Media Release...