18-year-old Wallace Charlie has been named in Australia's squad for the SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles on May 4-5.
The Torres Strait Islander was named MVP at the Global Youth Sevens tournament in Auckland last year and comes in for the decider, which also doubles as the Grand Final of the SVNS World Series.
Watch every match of the SVNS World Series live and on-demand, exclusively on Stan Sport.
Charlie is also signed with the Western Force Academy and will wear the number 77 jersey, signifying his seven siblings.
"The opportunity that Wallace has taken when he’s been around training this season has exceeded our expectations and that’s why we’ve selected him," coach Liam Barry said.
He is one of two changes to the team from Singapore, with Michael Icely making his return from injury.
The Aussie Men, who finished sixth in the standings following a highly-competitive season, have been drawn into Pool B alongside Spain, Fiji and New Zealand.
"We’ve made four quarter-finals and finished on the podium twice this season, so it is a fair reflection of the progress and where we’re at as a team," Barry added. "If we do well it will be a strong finish to a solid season. If we don’t do well it will be a continuation of an up and down season. We are looking to finish on a good note."
As for the Women, they are boosted massively by the return of Bella Nasser, Demi Hayes and Heidi Dennis.
Nasser reassumes the captaincy from Tia Hinds, who joins the Wallaroos program ahead of the World Cup.
Hayes and Dennis also come back after lengthy absences, with Bienne Terita joining Hinds and Charlotte Caslick in the 40-player squad for the 15s program.
Tim Walsh's side are the defending champions and have been drawn alongside Fiji, USA and France.
"We can't wait to give everything we’ve got in LA. We have prepared well and will rise to the occasion," Walsh said. "Our squad has been challenged and tested throughout but our next generation players have stepped up and will do so again in LA.
"It’s great to have Bella Nasser, Demi Hayes and Heidi Dennis back and they will help lead us around the park with some key players missing."
1. Piper Simons
3. Faith Nathan
4. Mackenzie Davis
5. Teagan Levi
10. Isabella Nasser (c)
11. Demi Hayes
12. Maddison Levi
13. Heidi Dennis
14. Bridget Clark
15. Kahli Henwood
23. Ruby Nicholas
28. Kiiahla Duff
65. Sariah Paki
1. Henry Hutchison (c)
2. Ben Dowling
6. Henry Paterson (c)
9. Matt Gonzalez
10. Ben Dalton
11. Maurice Longbottom
13. Jayden Blake
14. James Turner
23. Aden Ekanayake
25. Hayden Sargeant
29. Josh Turner
77. Wallace Charlie
87. Michael Icely
Unavailable for selection due to injury
AUSTRALIA WOMEN
- Madison Ashby (knee) – 2025/2026 World Series
- Kaitlin Shave (knee) – 2025/2026 World Series
- Sidney Taylor (knee) – 2025/2026 World Series
- Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea (knee) - 2025/2026 World Series
AUSTRALIA MEN
- Dietrich Roache (knee) – 2025/2026 World Series
AUSTRALIA WOMEN - POOL B
- Saturday, May 4: Australia v Fiji (4:50am AEST)
- Saturday, May 4: Australia v USA (7:51am AEST)
- Saturday, May 4: Australia v France (10:40am AEST)
AUSTRALIA MEN - POOL B
- Saturday, May 4: Australia v Spain (3:44am AEST)
- Saturday, May 4: Australia v Fiji (7:07am AEST)
- Saturday, May 4: Australia v New Zealand (9:51am AEST)
