Australia's next generation of sevens stars are on a collision course with World Series royalty - and the Fijian Drua - at this week's Coral Coast 7s.
Formed in partnership with PacificAus Sports and the Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development team, a 13-man Australian Select 7s will push for silverware at Fiji's premier sevens tournament.
Watch our Aussies in action at the Coral Coast 7s (January 16-18) via Viti Plus.
The three-day Coral Coast 7s draws thousands to Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka - home to the infamous Fijian sand dunes - and the Aussie men face a tough draw with Blitzboks legend Rosko Specman, Irish star Harry McNulty and two-time Olympic gold medalist Jerry Tuwai among their Pool D opponents.
World Series trio Dally Bird, James McGregor and Henry Palmer have all been named by coach Stu Dunbar with rising stars Jarrah McLeod and Conor Hickey and "Lloydies" regulars Kye & Braiden Oates among the key tournament inclusions.
But while there's high hopes for the Australian Select 7s - who will also lead community activations and clinics throughout the week made possible by PacificAus Sport - all eyes will be fixed on the Waisale Serevi-coached Fijian Drua in their Coral Coast debut.
Super Rugby Pacific regulars Taniela Rakuro, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Peni Matawalu and Ilaisa Droasese have all been named under the captaincy for Flying Fijian Mesulame Dolokoto with Serevi and Drua XVs head coach Glen Jackson eager to sharpen the axe ahead of their SRP Round 1 clash with the ACT Brumbies.
"The skills we have are different to other players. When we coach, we have to come down to try to do steps and train kids how catch and pass, and in Fiji that comes naturally," Serevi told local media this week.
"I believe we'll see a very good Drua side (and) we want to win our first ever national tournament."
National sevens outfits representing Fiji, Samoa and New Zealand will also take part with local sides and a Seattle Barbarians comprised of MLR talent rounding out the men's senior draw.
Though Australia won't feature, the women's draw is quality with two-time Olympic gold medalist Stacey Waaka headlining a NZ Development side while Brisbane club Sunnybank Dragons will take part in the youth boys division.
The Australian Select 7s involvement at Coral Coast 7s is made possible by PacificAus Sport.
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high performance coaching in Australia and internationally.
The program partners with Australian national sports organisations to support a range of Pacific sports, including rugby league, rugby union, netball, football, AFL, cricket and Olympic/Paralympic sports, with funding split evenly between women and men.
PacificAus Sports also partners with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) to promote Pacific sport through ABC Television’s 'That Pacific Sports Show' and ABC Radio’s 'Fresh Off The Field'.
The high performance outcomes of PacificAus Sports are complemented by the Australian Government’s program, which focuses on sport for development in the Pacific.
For more information about PacificAus Sports and its initiatives, visit https://www.pacificaussports.gov.au/ and follow PacificAus Sports on Facebook and Instagram.
Logan Aldridge, Dally Bird, Saxon Fenwicke, Rocco Gollings, Conor Hickey, James McGregor, Jarrah McLeod, Christopher Mickelson, Kieren Mundine, Braiden Oates, Kye Oates, Henry Palmer, Christian Papa.
Click here for Australian fixtures + Coral Coast 7s tournament information.
