Cooper set for Australian Sevens bow in Vegas

Feb 26 • General News, International, Sevens Rugby, Sevens World Series • 3486 Views • Comments Off on Cooper set for Australian Sevens bow in Vegas

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Wallaby Quade Cooper is in line for his World Series debut after being named in the 12-man squad Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens squad for Las Vegas next month (5-7 March).

The 58-cap flyhalf will wear the Australian Sevens jersey for the first time having previously linked up with the squad for two training sessions prior to the HSBC Sydney 7s.

Ed Jenkins will skipper a side that includes the return of 2010 Commonwealth Games silver medallist and former Waratah loose forward Pat McCutcheon.

Star centre Cameron Clark has also been selected in coach Andy Friend’s touring party while forward Sam Myers will win his 20th cap at the 40,000-capacity Sam Boyd Stadium.

Nick Malouf (knee), Pama Fou (shoulder), Tom Cusack (wrist) and Simon Kennewell (ankle) are absent due to injury.

Following their runners-up finish at the HSBC Sydney 7s, Australia has been placed in Pool B alongside England, Scotland and Japan.

Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens Head Coach Andy Friend said: “We’re delighted to welcome Quade into the fold for Las Vegas. Having had a few training sessions with the squad earlier this month, not forgetting the sessions we’ll have in the week leading up to the tournament in Las Vegas, we’ll be in a much better position to utilise his skill-set. Likewise, Quade will have had time to understand our team structures and patterns of play.

“Las Vegas is one of the narrower pitches on the World Series circuit so it’s up to us to adapt and find ways of unlocking opposition defences. It’s important to continue the momentum we have created following a couple of really positive tournaments in Wellington and Sydney.

“We have drawn one of those pools that is evenly-matched across the board. We know what England will bring to the table while Scotland, no matter what level, has always caused Australian rugby sides a headache. Japan are a fast-improving side that have already beaten France (in Wellington) and so nearly beat World Champions Fiji (in Dubai) so we will have to bring our ‘A’ game.”

Australia currently sits fourth in the 2015-16 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series on 54 points. Fiji, South Africa and New Zealand are tied for top spot (69 points) in the World Series after four rounds of competition.

Fans will be able to watch all of the action from Las Vegas LIVE on FOX SPORTS.

Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens fixtures in Las Vegas, USA, 5-6 March
Australia v Scotland, Pool B, 1.08pm AEDT (5 March)
Australia v Japan, Pool B, 4.04pm AEDT (5 March)
Australia v England, Pool B, 8.46am AEDT (6 March)

Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens squad for the Las Vegas Sevens at Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas:
1. Henry Hutchison. Club: Randwick, NSW. Hometown: Crows Nest, NSW
2. Tom Kingston. Club: Sydney University, NSW. Hometown: Sydney, NSW
3. Sam Myers. Club: Northern Suburbs, NSW. Hometown: Grenfell, NSW
4. Boyd Killingworth. Club: Warringah Rats, NSW. Hometown: Collaroy, NSW
5. Tom Lucas. Club: Sunnybank. Hometown: Rockhampton, QLD
6. Con Foley. Club: University of Queensland. Hometown: Brisbane, QLD
7. Cameron Clark. Club: Northern Suburbs. Place of Birth: Auckland, NZ
8. Greg Jeloudev. Club: Sydney University, NSW. Hometown: Sydney, NSW
9. Ed Jenkins. Club: Sydney University, NSW. Hometown: Sydney, NSW
10. Allan Fa’alava’au. Club: Endeavour Hills, VIC. Hometown: Melbourne, VIC
11. Quade Cooper. Club: Toulon, France. Place of Birth: Auckland, NZ
12. Pat McCutcheon. Club: Sydney University, NSW. Place of Birth: Narromine, NSW