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Australian 7's Squad

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Wallabies Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Scott Fava and Chris Latham have been included in the Australian rugby union Sevens squad for the Commonwealth Games.

The quartet - one from each Australian Super 14 franchise - will give the regular Australian Sevens squad a much-needed boost at next month's Games in Melbourne.

Australia will face most of the major Sevens powers at the Games including New Zealand, Fiji, South Africa and England.

And the selection of the four Wallabies came the same day coach Glen Ella's team was trounced 26-5 by South Africa in the quarterfinals of the Los Angeles event on the IRB sevens circuit won by England.

Regular Australian Sevens players Shawn Mackay, Joshua Gamgee, Luke Inman, Damon Murphy and Nick Reily retained their spots.

They're joined by Tom McVerry, who played 20 Super 12 games for Queensland, Western Force utility back Cameron Shepherd and pocket-sized flyer Brendan Williams, who has returned from Italian club Benetton.

The four Wallabies in the team all have international experience in the abridged version of the game.

Tuqiri, Latham and Fava played together at the Brisbane Sevens in 2003 while Giteau played for Australia in seven IRB Sevens tournaments in the 2002 series.

Australian coach Ella said their inclusion would not only boost the team, but help lift the crowd.

"Sevens is a high-speed game that can turn on a bounce of the ball, so there is no question that guys like Tuqiri, Fava, Latham and Giteau are well suited to it," said Ella.

"They have the speed, power, footwork and big-game experience that will hopefully give us the edge when we come up against the big guns of Sevens Rugby like New Zealand, Fiji, England and South Africa.

"However it will be important that they pick up the tactics, running lines and defensive strategies quickly from the guys like Shawn Mackay, Joshua Gamgee, Luke Inman, Damon Murphy and Nick Reily who have been playing Sevens for Australia on a regular basis.

"Having some big name Wallabies in the team will also help attract the fans. It is really important for our team that the Telstra Dome is packed to capacity with supporters all decked out in gold. It would definitely give us a lift."

Australian team: Scott Fava (WA), Josh Gamgee (NSW), Matt Giteau (ACT), Chris Latham (QLD), Luke Inman (NSW), Shawn Mackay (NSW), Tom McVerry (QLD), Damon Murphy (QLD), Nick Reily (NSW), Cameron Shepherd (WA), Lote Tuqiri (NSW), Brendan Williams (NSW). Coach: Glen Ella.

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Wow...they got some big names in the team now...and will be real force...especially at home.
 
fijis gonna win but thats a really interesting team....should be very good to see how they play the game

just becoz they played tournaments before doesnt mean the game is the same..7s is forever evolving...faster,more durable,fitter and better defenses have been growing within

but they should be one of the many main contenders..i cant see them go past fiji,england or argentina..
 
Originally posted by THE CHIROPRACTOR101@Feb 13 2006, 08:14 PM
fijis gonna win but thats a really interesting team....should be very good to see how they play the game

just becoz they played tournaments before doesnt mean the game is the same..7s is forever evolving...faster,more durable,fitter and better defenses have been growing within

but they should be one of the many main contenders..i cant see them go past fiji,england or argentina..
have to agree with chiro...will be intresting to see how the big name wallabies go and how they will make their transition from 15's to 7's...same goes to players like doug howlett, soseni anesi etc.. in the nz team
 
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