COMMONWEALTH GAMES TRIO IN LINE FOR HYPERION GOLD COAST SEVENS
Rugby 7s, November 3: Three members of Australia's silver medal winning Commonwealth Games team from Delhi are in the selection mix for the up-coming Hyperion Gold Coast International Sevens at Albert Park, Surfers Paradise on Saturday and Sunday November 13 and 14.
Delhi team members and contracted players Bernard Foley and Shaun Foley have been in the Australian Sevens Squad at the AIS in Canberra this week under the watchful eye of National coach Michael O'Connor.
A third Commonwealth Games team member, Ed Jenkins, a noted performer in the green and gold, is also in the running for selection, despite missing the camp due to work commitments.
The Australian Rugby Union will officially announce the "Aussie Thunder" team for the 20-team Gold Coast Sevens tournament later this week in the run up to the opening tournament of the IRB Sevens in Dubai on December 3 and 4.
Aussie Thunder is the new name given to the Australian Sevens Team and Michael O'Connor's men will make their debut as the "Thunder from Down Under" at the Gold Cost tournament.
O'Connor is certain to look at some new faces for the Gold Coast tilt as he mounts his campaign to improve on the Australians rising status in the new Olympic sport, due to make its debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
"It's exciting to see players like Shaun, Bernard and Ed put their hands up for the Hyperion tournament but the selectors will have to see how all the players perform in camp this week before the team is finalised," said Australian team manager and Hyperion tournament director Luca Liussi.
"The Gold Coast tournament will be the last chance some of the boys will get to show their form in the lead up to this year's opening IRB Sevens tournament in Dubai.
"As a group they are all very excited at the opportunity of playing in a prestigious international tournament on the Gold Coast.
"There is no doubt it is growing in stature and it will be the perfect led up for a lot of the National teams to put the finishing touches to their squads.
"The standard will be very high with teams from Samoa, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Fijian teams certain to make it very competitive indeed."
Shaun Foley and Ed Jenkins were both late call-ups for the Darwin Sevens and Commonwealth Games squads and were welcome additions into the Games tournament won for the fourth time by New Zealand.
Foley was a key member of the Australian team during the first two legs of the IRB Sevens World Series last season before an ankle injury saw him miss the remainder of the Series.
The exciting fullback caught coach O'Connor's eye when he flagged a returned to the rugby union ranks in 2009 after three seasons in the NRL with the Sydney Roosters.
Jenkins made an explosive comeback to the Australian Sevens squad in May last year and was a key component in the team's outstanding performances in their IRB Series win in London and their finals appearance in Edinburgh.
Bernard Foley made his Australian Sevens debut during the opening leg of the 2009/2010 IRB World Series in Dubai before returning to the side last May.
He played a starring role in Australia's first victory on the circuit since 2002 when they won the London event and admirably followed up that performance with a finals appearance a weekend later in Edinburgh, despite missing a handful of regular players.
The Pacific MMI Rebels from Papua New Guinea will be the first of the international teams to arrive next Wednesday with Samoa and New Zealand arriving next Friday.
HYPERION GOLD COAST INTERNATIONAL SEVENS TEAMS
MEN - Samoa 7s Samoa Rugby Football Union, Emerging New Zealand New Zealand Rugby Football Union, Aussie Thunder Australian Rugby Union, Arabian Gulf Barbarians Arabian Gulf Rugby Union, Niue Wanderers Niue Rugby Union, Queensland Reds 7s Queensland Rugby Union, NSW Jr Waratah 7s New South Wales Rugby Union, Taranaki Academy New Zealand, South Sea Drifters Fiji, International Samurais UK / New Zealand, PNG Southern Chiefs Papua New Guinea, Davetalevu Fiji, Pacific MMI Rebels Papua New Guinea, Lloyd McDermott Australia, Gold Coast Breakers Australia, Sunnybank Australia, Australian Maoris RL Australia, Brisbane Nadro Navosa, Island Breeze Australia, Bombers Australia/Fiji
WOMEN - Eastsyde Brisbane Australia, Samurai International Australia, PNG Southern Chiefs Papua New Guinea, Sunnybank Women's Australia, Gold Coast Academy Australia, PNG Defence Women's Rugby Papua New Guinea, Sydney Uni Women's Australia, Wests Women's Bulldogs Australia
TICKETING INFORMATION - SAVE MONEY AND TIME - BUY ONLINE!
Beat the queues and pay less by securing your tickets online http://www.goldcoastsevens.com/
HYPERION VIP LOUNGE: Enjoy the fast, exciting action of some of the world's best 7s teams in the comfort of the Club House area. Premium viewing, private bar area, substantial finger food, big screen TV with all the action of a two-day Rugby carnival. Tickets are limited!
Single Day: $65
Two-day pass: $110
Concession - Pensioners and Full Time Students (aged, TPI, War Service Widow)12 years and under: FREE
Family: 2 adults, 2 juniors or 1 adult, 2 juniors
Dont Drive ... PARK AND RIDE...check website for service information (NB: Parking limited)
TICKETING PRICES
|
1 Day Pass |
|
|
Adult pre sale |
$15.00 |
|
Adult |
$20.00 |
|
Conc / Student Pre sale |
$10.00 |
|
Concession / Student |
$15.00 |
|
Child under 12 yrs |
Comp w/- paying adult |
|
Pre sale Family (2A+2J) |
$40.00 |
|
Family (2A+2J) |
$45.00 |
|
2 Day Pass |
|
|
Adult pre sale |
$30.00 |
|
Adult |
$40.00 |
|
Conc / Student Pre sale |
$20.00 |
|
Concession / Student |
$30.00 |
|
Child under 12 yrs |
Comp w/- paying adult |
|
Pre sale Family (2A+2J) |
$65.00 |
|
Family (2A+2J) |
$75.00 |