Australia Sevens confirm squad for title-deciding LA Sevens

Fri, Aug 19, 2022, 3:57 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
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Australian Men's Sevens coach John Manenti has made two changes as they hunt for the World Series title in Los Angeles on August 27-28.

They enter the final leg of the 21-22 Series in second place, just two points behind Birmingham gold medalists South Africa.

Catch all the action of the World Series LIVE on Kayo and BEIN Sports

Looking for their first World Series, Manenti has called Billy Meakes and James Turner into the squad.

Meakes, who currently plies his trade with the LA Gilitins in Major League Rugby, featured in the opening two tournaments in Dubai before returning to the USA.

As for Turner, he will make his World Series debut, capping off a breakout year for the NSW Waratahs winger after initially being left off their Super Rugby squad for 2022.

Manenti and the squad recognise the importance of the event, out to do a rare double after the Women's side secured the World Series back in May.

“The Aussie men have never won the World Rugby Sevens Series – so this is a rare occasion for the squad," he said in a statement.

“You never know how many chances you will get in your career to achieve something like this, so everyone is determined to really go out there and take the opportunity.

“On the back of the women’s success in winning the World Series, the men are motivated and keen to emulate their performance and make it a rare double for any sevens national teams.

“I’m excited for Billy and James to join us – Billy obviously brings a lot of Rugby experience to the squad, and James is a bit of a jet.

“We also need to be conscious of having a strong performance across the tournament as we build towards the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town next month.”

Due to the impacts of COVID-19, this year’s World Series point-scoring system will see teams will drop their two worst performances, with the Blitzboks likely to drop their seventh place finish in Singapore.

Meanwhile, Australia's consistency across the tournament will mean they need to finish higher than fifth to improve on their current total, dropping their result from the opening tournament of the Series.

Australia has been drawn in Pool A after their London heroics, set to open their tournament against Japan on Sunday August 28 (5:04 am AEST).

This will be followed by a crucial match-up against Argentina (8:15 am), who currently sit third on the World Series ladder, only 4 points behind the Australians.

They will round out the action against Spain (12:03 pm), with every game LIVE on Kayo Sports and beIN Sports.

Men’s Aussie Sevens squad for Los Angeles:

1. Henry Hutchison

2. Billy Meakes

3. Corey Toole

4. Dietrich Roache

5. James Turner

6. Henry Paterson

7. Josh Turner

8. Matt Gonzalez

9. Stu Dunbar

10. Nick Malouf (c)

11: Maurice Longbottom

12. Nathan Lawson

13. Ben Marr

Australian Sevens Los Angeles Pool A Schedule

*All times AEST

Sunday August 28

Australia v Japan, 5:04 am AEST 

Australia v Argentina, 8:15 am AEST

Australia v Spain, 12:03 pm AEST

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