Aussies make two changes for London finale

Aussie Sevens coach Andy Friend has made just two changes to his team for the World Series finale in London.

Tom Kingston and Brandon Quinn will line up as part of the Aussie Sevens squad to play at Twickenham this weekend, in their last 2016-17 tournament.

Kingston has moved back into the main team, having originally been named 13^th man for Paris, while Quinn gets another chance to show his pace following his last hit out in Vancouver.

Australia currently sits sixth in the series standings and looks likely to finish in that same spot, two below a fourth-place 2015-16 finish.

While the Aussies will no doubt be working hard to chase down USA, the 13-point gap to fifth place is a big margin to rein in.

Friend said he has been pleased with the performances of his young charges over the course of the season, wanting to showcase the positives from that development with a big finish.

“We have a great opportunity to finish the season off strong in London, in what's been a great year of regeneration for this young side," he said.  

"Brandon Quinn (has) got great speed so we'll be looking to utilise that on the edges. Tom (Kingston) has been involved for the last three tournaments so he knows what to expect, and what's expected of him.”  

Sharing Pool D with England, Samoa and Spain means the task on Saturday to finish top two will require all their focus.

Friend is looking for the players to put the Paris performance behind them and reclaim the right to play against the big teams well into Sunday.

“We want to get back into the top eight in London after a disappointing weekend in Paris. We have a tough pool and I know all the boys are keen to bounce back into the quarters, the semis and beyond," he said.

James Stannard will again captain this young squad in what has been another stellar season for the veteran.

 

Great to get home to the @cobhamrfc with the #Aussie7s Men today! Thanks for hosting us ahead of the #London7s #GetAroundEm

A post shared by Matt Johnston (@mattjohnston18) on May 17, 2017 at 6:10am PDT

TEAM

IN: Tom Kingston, Brandon Quinn

OUT: Henry Hutchison, Charlie Taylor

Australian Men’s squad London7s

Tom Kingston  

Simon Kennewell

Nick Malouf

Alex Gibbon

James Stannard (c)

John Porch

Tim Anstee

Dylan Pietsch

Boyd Killingworth

Liam McNamara

Brandon Quinn

Lachie Anderson

Charlie Taylor – 13^th man

FIXTURE

Pool D

Saturday May 13

Australia vs Samoa, 8.42pm AEST

Sunday May 14

Australia vs England, 12.10am AEST

Australia vs Spain, 2.54am AEST