DUAL INTERNATIONAL ON BOARD FOR SEVENS
Former Qantas Wallabies utility and Australian Rugby League representative Andrew Walker has been selected in a beefed up Australian Sevens squad for the Hong Kong and Adelaide legs of the iRB Sevens World Series.
Australian coach Bill Millard has chosen an extended 17-man squad as a number of players attempt to shake off niggling injuries ahead of the biggest fortnight of the year for the Australian Sevens program.
Millard will name his final squad of 12 on Friday.
Walker, now at the Queensland Reds, is the only Test-capped player in the squad, while another five players – Rob Horne and Ben Batger (Waratahs), Caleb Brown (QLD Reds), Tim Wright and Peter Owens (Brumbies) - have recent Investec Super 14 experience.
Up and coming Western Force player James O’Connor returns to the Sevens squad after impressing at the Darwin Invitational earlier this year and will be joined by fellow Force youngster Dane Haylett Petty.
Experienced Sevens regulars Damon Murphy, Luke Inman and James Lew have also been included, with veteran Shawn Mackay again named as captain.
The availability of Rob Horne will depend upon whether he is selected in the match 22 for the Waratahs Super 14 clash with the Crusaders this weekend.
Kacey Mitchell, one of Australia’s form players in the opening four rounds, has withdrawn for family reasons, while Scott Higginbotham’s form has earned him a call up to the Queensland Reds tour of South Africa.
Coach Bill Millard said the inclusion of Walker and other Super 14 players will be a boost in the squad’s preparations for the two tournaments.
“I am looking forward to working with Andrew Walker and Caleb Brown from the Reds,” said Millard.
“Both are jumping at the bit to play Sevens and we will be up skilling them over the weekend in relation to the different rugby format.
“It has been unfortunate to lose our chief playmaker, Kacey Mitchell, while Scott Higginbotham has been called up to the Reds, showing that the Sevens program can provide a fast track to Super 14 rugby.”
The final squad departs for Hong Kong on Monday where newly named Assistant Coach and Ambassador David Campese will join the squad.
Mark Ella will join the coaching squad in the week leading up to Australia’s home leg in Adelaide.
Australian Sevens Squad for HK & Adelaide legs of iRB Sevens World Series*
1. Shawn Mackay (c) – Randwick NSW
2. Ben Batger – Waratahs NSW
3. Willie Bishop – Warringah NSW
4. Caleb Brown – Queensland Reds
5. Blair Connor – Norths QLD
6. Ross Duncan – Warringah NSW
7. Dane Haylett Petty – Cottesloe WA
8. Rob Horne –Waratahs
9. Luke Inman – Sydney University NSW
10. Mitch Inman – Sydney University NSW
11. Luke Johnson – Manly NSW
12. James Lew – Norths NSW
13. Damon Murphy – Brothers QLD
14. James O’Connor – Western Force
15. Peter Owens – Warringah NSW
16. Andrew Walker – Queensland Reds
17. Tim Wright – Randwick NSW
*Five to be omitted.
