Reds fullback to make IRB Sevens debut
May 15, 2009 - 3:06pm
Story by: ARU
Reds fullback Mark McLinden will make his Australian Sevens debut when he competes in final two legs of the 2008/2009 IRB Sevens World Series in London (May 23-24) and Edinburgh (May 30-31).
McLinden, 29, has had an impressive first season of Super Rugby since switching from rugby league. If he gets through the Reds Saturday night match against the Hurricanes unscathed he will be returning to the UK where he played league for four seasons with the London Broncos and Harlequins. Before that he spent seven years with the Canberra Raiders, playing 165 games.
Many of the regular Sevens players are unavailable for the UK tournaments because of injury and other representative duties.
Australian captain Damon Murphy is one of the Sevens casualties, he is out with a foot injury. Brian Sefanaia is nursing a hamstring aliment and Jonathan Jenkins has a leg injury.
The Australian Sevens team will also loose Richard Kingi, Dane Haylett-Petty and Afuspia Taumoepeau to Australian Under 20s duties for the upcoming 2009 IRB Junior World Championships in Japan (June 5-21).
Henry Vanderglas (Brumbies) and Ben Lucas (Reds) are also tentative starters due to pending extended Super 14 commitments.
On a positive note, Ben Coridas has returned to the side after recovering from a shoulder injury.
“By having the Under 20s out it will give us the opportunity to have a look at some younger players that I have been keen to look at for next year,” Mick O’Connor, the Australian Sevens coach said.
“I have brought into the squad some young guys from Sydney University - Clinton Sills as well as Pat McCutcheon, who is playing very well with his club.”
Brumbies scrumhalf James Stannard will also make his Australian Sevens debut in London. The 25-year-old, who played for the Western Force during 2008, has 11 Super 14 caps (10 Force & 1 Brumbies).
Last month Australia had a solid International Rugby Sevens Adelaide campaign which saw them climb from 9th to 8th position on the World Series ladder.
Australia was undefeated in their pool matches and finished top of Pool A ahead of England, Samoa and Portugal. In the Cup quarter final they suffered a 12-5 loss to Argentina but in the final of the Plate competition, Australia displayed determination to recover from a slow scoring first half to almost clinch victory over England. Unfortunately the visitors walked away with a 24-19 win.
“We have some credibility now,” O’Connor said. “We are a side that can mix it with the top teams not just an inexperienced group. All the indications are that we are tracking on the right plane and we hope to improve again in London and Edinburgh and finish on a good note.”
For the London Sevens, Australia will play the World Series leaders and two-time International Rugby Sevens Adelaide champions, South Africa, World champions Wales and Germany in Pool A.
The Australian Sevens team is currently at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra preparing for their forthcoming assaults. The squad departs for London this Sunday May 17.
Australian Sevens team for London and Edinburgh:
Ben Coridas
William Brock
Benjamin McCalman
Henry Vanderglas (TBC on Friday 19.00)
James Stannard
William Bishop
Shaun Foley
Dominic Shipperley
Clinton Sills
Mark McLinden (TBC after Reds match on Saturday evening)
Ben Lucas (TBC after Reds match on Saturday evening)
Pat McCutcheon
The Australian Rugby Sevens program is proudly supported by the Australian Institute of Sport
