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Australian Sevens selectors have named an “Aussie Spirit” squad laced with players boasting experience at IRB Sevens World Series events for the Gold Coast International 7s next weekend.

The Hyperion Gold Coast International 7s will be played at Albert Park, Surfers Paradise, on Saturday and Sunday, 7-8 November, with 16 men’s teams and four women’s sides competing.

Australian Sevens coach Michael O’Connor is treating the event as a valuable lead-in and selection trial ahead of the 2009-2010 IRB Sevens World Series circuit, which kicks off in Dubai on 4-5 December. The Australian coach has been busy scouting at a number of tournaments so far this season including the Byron Sevens and the Central Coast Sevens.

Many in the “Aussie Spirit” side for the Gold Coast 7s have represented Australia at Sevens World Series level, while several fringe contenders will seek to force their way into this season’s squad via the event in Surfers Paradise.

Familar names such as Willie Bishop, Michael Foley, and James Stannard will give the side an experienced Sevens backbone to the Spirit. Clinton Sills played the last two legs (London and Edinburgh) last year and impressed many with his explosive speed and finshing. The likes of Patrick McCutcheon and Brian Sefanaia have international sevens experience, whilst Jacob Taylor, Ed Quirk, and Zach Holmes are exciting young prospects. 

The Gold Coast tournament will also be staged less than a month after the International Olympic Committee announced Rugby Sevens as a new sport for the Games from 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

It will be Rugby’s return to the Olympics after four previous appearances in 1900, 1908, 1920 and 1924.

The Gold Coast tournament has also attracted teams from Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Samoa.

The Aussie Spirit squad:

Willie Bishop, Bernard Foley, Shaun Foley, Talaelei Gray, Zack Holmes, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Patrick McCutcheon, Ed Quirk, Brian Sefanaia, Clinton Sills, James Standard, Jacob Taylor