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November 27, 2009 - 9:57am
Story by: ARU
Key playmaker James Stannard scores in London
Scrumhalf Nicholas Phipps has been called into the Australian Sevens team as a replacement for injured playmaker James Stannard, who has been ruled out of the opening two tournaments of the IRB Sevens World Series.
Stannard suffered a hamstring tear which will keep him out of the Dubai tournament on December 4-5 and the South African leg in George on Dec 12-13.
The former Western Force and Brumbies scrumhalf underwent a MRI scan on Thursday to assess the extent of the damage and will likely be out of action for three weeks.
Australian Sevens coach Michael O’Connor has elected to persevere with his youth policy, naming Sydney University rookie Phipps as the 11th debutant in his 18-man squad.
Experienced utility back Brian Sefanaia is also in a race to be fit for Dubai after sustaining a slight, grade one calf injury.
Australian Sevens Team for Dubai: Robbie Coleman, Bernard Foley, Shaun Foley, Talalelei Gray, Zack Holmes, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Patrick McCutcheon (captain), Nicholas Phipps, Edward Quirk, Brian Sefanaia, Clinton Sills, Jacob Taylor.
Australian Sevens 18-man squad for the IRB Sevens World Series: Willie Bishop, Robbie Coleman, Mitchell Felsman, Bernard Foley, Shaun Foley, Liam Gill, Talalelei Gray, Zack Holmes, Ed Jenkins, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Patrick McCutcheon (captain), Nicholas Phipps, Edward Quirk, Brian Sefanaia, Dominic Shipperley, Clinton Sills, Kimami Sitauti, Jacob Taylor.
http://www.rugby.com.au/news/sevens/.../section/21893