Simon Kennewell will make his long awaited return to the Australian Sevens fold in Hamilton.
The 22-year-old ruptured his ACL in the days leading up to the team's triumphant 2018 Sydney 7s campaign and has not featured in the Australian setup since, returning to rugby at the Coral Coast 7s last weekend.
He passed that test and has been brought straight back into coach Tim Walsh's side for the final tournament before the Sydney 7s.
Kennewell's return is one of four changes made by Walsh for the New Zealand leg of the World Series circuit.
Josh Coward will make his debut, while Jeral Skelton and Sam Myers have also earned recalls.
"We’re pleased with the way the team has prepared and bounced back following on from our last tournament in Cape Town and round three could not come quick enough for us.
"Bringing Simon (Kennewell) back into the squad is an exciting proposition and adds more competition for spots, following on from his hard work in rehab to return from injury.
"Argentina, Wales and Fiji offer three varying styles of Rugby, so from the get go there will be challenges for us in Hamilton."
TEAM
Nick Malouf, University of Queensland, 24 caps
Lachlan Anderson, Eastwood, 18 caps
Henry Hutchison, Randwick, 18 caps
Simon Kennewell, Randwick, 11 caps
Jeral Skelton, Brothers, 6 caps
Sam Myers, Norths (Sydney), 38 caps
Josh Coward*, Sunnybank
Maurice Longbottom, Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team, 8 caps
Lewis Holland (c), Queanbeyan, 40 caps
Ben O’Donnell, Randwick, 11 caps
John Porch, Norths (Sydney), 19 caps
Brandon Quinn, Gordon, 9 caps
Michael Wells, Norths (Sydney), 4 caps
FIXTURES
Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens Fixtures, Hamilton
Saturday 26 January
Australia v Argentina, 9.30am AEDT
Australia v Wales, 1.20pm AEDT
Australia v Fiji, 5.52pm AEDT