The Australian Olympic Committee has finalized the Rugby Sevens men’s and women’s sides. This is as teams continue to submit their final squads before the deadline over the weekend. The 24 Men and Women will represent the ‘Land Down Under’ to sports Holy Grail. Rio De Janeiro will host the 2016 Summer Games as the Aussies name their Rugby Sevens Olympics Squads today.
Wth no major surprises, only a few unlucky names missing out, the men’s will be led by Ed Jenkins. In a surprising move, the women will be co-captained by Shannon Parry and Sharni Williams. Head coaches Andy Friend (Men’s) and Tim Walsh (Women’s) have both opted for experience. In those choices, leaving some ‘exciting new talent’ at home that graced the sevens world in the last eight months.
Road to Rio
The Aussie 7’s Women are in Pool A with the United States, HSBC Sevens Series Champions Fiji and Colombia. The women compete from August 6-8 in a very difficult group. The Men are in Pool B with South Africa, France and Spain from August 9-11. Both teams will play on the newly developed Deodoro Stadium.
Let me start by saying “both teams are capable of winning Gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics”. That is a fact. The teams have an average age below 25, and for the women’s team it shows their youth has not been a barrier. The teams have a shared vision: with little bit of tenacity, dedication and hunger for that ultimate goal they can walk away from Rio with heads held high. Each certainly have the firepower, but is the heart willing??
Aussies name their Rugby Sevens Olympics Squads
The Aussie men’s side are clear underdogs to giants Fiji, South Africa, New Zealand and Team Great Britain. Reaching two finals this season, on each occasion they fell short–to the Kiwis in Sydney and Fiji in Las Vegas. While it has clearly been their best finish in years, the team continues to make in-roads with coach Andy Friend. Only employed halfway through the year, he has built a good base to develop upon. The big step may well be Olympic Gold.
The high-achieving women had much more success, winning the HSBC Women’s World Sevens Series. Claiming three tournaments (Dubai, Atlanta and Sao Paulo) the tight group only just fell short of a clean-sweep in 2015/2016. Missing out to England (Langford Sevens) and to Canada (Clermont-Ferrand Sevens) Not facing either in pool play might well set the Pearls up for the knockout phase, where they have a better than average chance.
Aussie Men gunning For Gold
They are certainly going ‘all out’ for Gold, as Andy Friend has opted for depth and experience. Beside Jenkins (pictured) he has gone with World Rugby’s ‘Rookie Of the Year’ Henry Hutchison and John Porch. The youngsters going on form and promise as much, while the other outstanding young performer Sam Meyers sadly misses out.
Boyd Killingworth and Meyers miss out to make way for Pat McCutcheon and seasoned player Jesse Parahi, while Con Foley comes in for Tom Kingston. Code-hopper Parahi has earned his spot with his vast experience, while the lukewarm McCutcheon’s selection leaves many questions. He is not only slow, he is quite injury pronged [for me] and the competition in Rio will put his frame to the test.
Kingston was the last surviving XV’s recruit, who out of all of the trialists-Nic ‘HoneyBadger’ Cummins, Henry Speight and the poor performing Quade Cooper–seemed best suited. Kingston appeared to prove his worth but not enough to earn a spot. That demonstrates the amount of selection choice that the Aussie men had. It leaves Cameron Clark and Allan Fa’alavau taking turns at the ‘rover’ position. Lewis Holland and James Stannard will be handling the ball most, to maximize their line breaking ability at the base of the maul.
.@Aussie7s men’s side pumped to be off to Rio 2016
WATCH: https://t.co/JyIhudBgyh#OneTeam pic.twitter.com/mGoiW4Lgxd
— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) July 14, 2016
Players given a ticket to their dreams
If anything, the men have the most to gain. Unable to complete a tournament victory over the Sevens Series this season, their time is now. During the team announcements, each player was given a ‘mock’ airline ticket. A ticket to their dreams it is up to the players now. The men’s pool maybe difficult but all must rise to the challenge.
The Aussies main weapon in Rio will be in the contact area, where they have grappled hard all season. The line speed they posses in defense is a game changer. They will be hard to breakdown in their pool games, but the mental ability to fight until the end will be the biggest factor to support their dreams of Gold.
Australian Men’s squad: Pool B
Con Foley, Ed Jenkins (c), John Porch, Cameron Clark, Henry Hutchison, Jesse Parahi, Lewis Holland, James Stannard, Pat McCutcheon, Allan Fa’alavau, Tom Cusack, Nick Malouf (includes two reserves)
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Australian women are Golden Favorites
Australian women are surely the clear favorites for the Rio Olympics. Confidence is high and with the team they have named, they mean business. Only Gemma Ethridge coming in for Tiana Penitani, from the team that they sent to the Clermont-Ferrand Sevens.
The team is full of speed, strength and an ace goal-kicker in Chloe Dalton. A key element, as every point counts where just a small mistake can cost you dearly. Aussie fans know, all team will be gunning for that Gold. Speedsters Emma Tonegato and Fiji-born ‘Green Machine’ Elia Green will burn the tramlines at the Deodoro Stadium. The ability to convert chances is key, with Emily Cherry carving up the midfield. A good allround game, with smart play makers and high physical fitness.
So excited to finally let you all know that I’M OFF TO THE OLYMPICS ?????? couldn’t be more… https://t.co/nNBtIKOqlu
— Emma Tonegato (@emmatonegato) July 14, 2016
Parry and Williams lead from the front. The dual roles may suit their strengths, and they have a long history together. Former Wallaroos (women’s XV) team mates, balancing the demands over the three day tournament is a good strategy. On the field, watch for each to provide those slick offloads where Alicia Quirk, Charlotte Caslick, Amy Turner and Evania Pelite will benefit most. Hard work on defense can see good transition, with quick recycled ball for their lightning finishers. A clear strategy like this will ‘raise hell’ on the opposition.
Few questions over their capabilities
The big question is, are they hungry enough? They took the same team to France, and the Canadian team humbled them. During the Olympics, can they redeem themselves?
Only time will tell, but the enthusiasm that Australians naturally show–their cockiness too–means they will surely try. Skilled and very well coached, no matter the result they will all work hard. No player will give anything but their best. All the best to both squads.
Australian Women’s squad: Pool A
Emma Tonegato, Charlotte Caslick, Chloe Dalton, Elia Green, Shannon Parry, Sharni Williams, Gemma Etheridge, Alicia Quirk, Nicole Beck, Emilee Cherry, Amy Turner, Evania Pelite.
Note: two reserves players are yet to be named by Tim Walsh.
Follow all the build-up to Rio, here on Last Word On Sports.
“Main photo credit”
