The Australia and New Zealand national Rugby Sevens teams are set to hit prime time television this weekend when they play an exhibition match on Sunday as the curtain-raiser to the Waratahs-Crusaders Round 10 FxPro Super Rugby clash.
The match, with two 10-minute halves, will put the finishing touches to both teams' preparations before embarking on a round-the-world journey to compete at the climax of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Glasgow, Scotland and London, England.
Australia won the most recent Cup title on the Series in Japan, beating Samoa in the Tokyo final, while New Zealand currently lead the World Series standings by six points.
“I can guarantee there’ll be tries. Sevens is all about attack. We’ll take it to each other - it’s unusual to have a low-scoring game in 20 minutes of Sevens," said Australia coach, former dual code international Michael O’Connor.
“This game is a real good opportunity for us to play against the best Sevens outfit in the world.
“It would be great to see the Allianz Stadium full at 3:00pm on Sunday for the Sevens match and then have them stay for the Waratahs clash, which is sure to be a ripper as well.”
New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens is equally excited by the opportunity: "Any match-up against our trans-Tasman neighbours is always a great occasion and neither team takes the other lightly. The match also provides a great chance for us to get some game time against a quality opposition before we head off to the UK."
Australia recall key players
The Qantas Men’s Sevens squad for Glasgow and London is currently assembled at the Sydney Academy of Sport in Narrabeen. Injury rules out Tom English, Greg Jeloudev and Dan Yakopo but Lewis Holland returns alongside Solomoni Rasolea and Ed Stubbs.
Tietjens will take his full New Zealand Sevens squad for the match, as well as Bay of Plenty's Jack Wilson and Waikato's Joe Webber and Johnathon Malo. He will then announce his squad to travel to Europe.
Qantas Men’s Sevens Squad for Glasgow/London: Damon Anderson, Jesse Parahi, Sean McMahon, Solomoni Rasolea, Jordan Tuapou, Con Foley, Allan Faalavaau, Ed Stubbs, Ed Jenkins (c), Matt Lucas, Lewis Holland, Shannon Walker
Qantas Men’s Sevens side to take on New Zealand: Damon Anderson, Michael Dolton, Will Miller, Solomoni Rasolea, Jordan Tuapou, Lindsay Crook, Jacob Taylor, Ed Stubbs, Trent Dyer, Matt Lucas, Lewis Holland, Shannon Walker
Qantas Men’s Sevens Squad for Glasgow/London: Damon Anderson, Jesse Parahi, Sean McMahon, Solomoni Rasolea, Jordan Tuapou, Con Foley, Allan Faalavaau, Ed Stubbs, Ed Jenkins (c), Matt Lucas, Lewis Holland, Shannon Walker
Qantas Men’s Sevens side to take on New Zealand: Damon Anderson, Michael Dolton, Will Miller, Solomoni Rasolea, Jordan Tuapou, Lindsay Crook, Jacob Taylor, Ed Stubbs, Trent Dyer, Matt Lucas, Lewis Holland, Shannon Walker
Highlights: Australia strike gold in Tokyo
