Former Australian Schoolboys star Shaun Foley has capped his return from four years in rugby league with selection in the national squad for the next two legs of the IRB Sevens World Series.

Foley has been named in a 12-man squad for the NZI Sevens in Wellington, which gets underway at the Westpac Stadium on Friday, and the USA Sevens in San Diego the following weekend.

The fullback, who was signed to NRL club the Roosters in 2005, was offered a chance to impress with the Aussie Spirit side at the Hottest 7’s tournament in Darwin a fortnight ago.

In his first Rugby outing since leaving school, Foley convinced Australian Sevens coach and former dual international Michael O’Connor that he was worthy of additional playing opportunities at the next two IRB Sevens World Series events.

Tackling the hosts

The squad has been hit by the withdrawal of several injured players, but O’Connor says Foley has deserved his selection for the two tournaments which lead into the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai from 5-7 March.

“We gave Shaun his opportunity in Darwin and he certainly delivered,” said O’Connor, whose side reached the Cup quarter finals in the opening leg of the Series in Dubai last November.

“We have been impressed with what we’ve seen from him so far and we expect he will improve even further over the next few weeks.”

Australia will face defending champions and hosts New Zealand in Pool B in Wellington along with Wales and Niue. They then face Series leaders South Africa, hosts USA and Canada at PETCO Park in San Diego.

Australia squad:
Willie Bishop, Will Brock, Ben Coridas, Damon Murphy, Aiden Toua, Luke Morahan, Richard Kingi, Jonathan Jenkins, Ed Jenkins, Peter Bentham, Shaun Foley, Henry Vanderglas.