HSBC Sevens World Series
Australia name squad for Sevens Series opener
ESPN Staff
October 8, 2013
Australia's Ed Jenkins celebrates victory at the Tokyo Sevens, Tokyo Sevens, HSBC Sevens World Series, Tokyo, Japan, April 1, 2012
Australia captain Ed Jenkins hopes to lift another trophy at the Gold Coast Sevens © Getty Images
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Australia have named their squad ahead of the 2013-14 season opener of the HSBC Sevens World Series on the Gold Coast this weekend. Sevens coach Michael O'Connor says he is confident his 12-man selection has the right balance to succeed over the weekend.

"The side is the most experienced team I have taken into the opening tournament of the year," O'Connor said. "Our two debutants Alex Gibbon and Tom Lucas are both coming off impressive performances in Suva, Fiji last weekend at the 2013 Oceania Sevens Championship. I am confident they can step up and play at IRB level."

The inclusion of local star Shannon Walker is certainly a draw card for fans over the weekend.

"Shannon is a fast mover and an exciting player to watch with his deft footwork," O'Connor added.

Gold Coast Sevens Draw

  • Pool A: New Zealand, Kenya, United States, Tonga
  • Pool B: South Africa, England, France, Spain
  • Pool C: Fiji, Wales, Canada, Portugal
  • Pool D: Samoa, Australia, Argentina, Scotland

Captain Ed Jenkins is leading the side for a consecutive third year, and said the side was looking forward to the tournament on home soil. "It's great to have the support of the crowd. It always provides such a good atmosphere to play in. The draw will provide some tough matches, especially with Samoa coming off a win last week in Fiji at the Oceania Sevens.

"We have a well-balanced squad, with some fresh faces, and we have been working hard in the off-season to make sure we can come out in fighting form," Jenkins said.

Australia: Ed Jenkins (capt), Paul Asquith, Cameron Clark, Con Foley, Alex Gibbon, Laloifi Junior Laloifi, Tom lucas, Nick Malouf, Sean McMahon, Jesse Parahi, James Stannard, Shannon Walker

HSBC Sevens World Series 2013-2014
Round 1 Australia (Gold Coast) October 12-13, 2013
Round 2 Dubai November 29-30, 2013
Round 3 South Africa (Port Elizabeth) December 7-8, 2013
Round 4 USA (Las Vegas) January 24-26, 2014
Round 5 New Zealand (Wellington) February 7-8, 2014
Round 6 Japan (Tokyo) March 22-23, 2014
Round 7 Hong Kong March 28-30, 2014
Round 8 Scotland (Glasgow) May 3-4, 2014
Round 9 England (London) May 10-11, 2014

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