Kennewell returns to Sevens squad for Hamilton

Mon, Jan 21, 2019, 12:00 AM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
Simon Kennewell will return to the Aussie Sevens side in Hamilton. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley
Simon Kennewell will return to the Aussie Sevens side in Hamilton. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley

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

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