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Emirates Western Force players Nick Cummins and James Stannard will play an important role for Australia at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Delhi after being named today in the final 12 man rugby Sevens side.
Stannard, who re-signed with the Force for the 2011 season, has been a mainstay of the Australian Sevens programme over the past few years, including captaining the side during their win at the London Sevens competition.
Cummins is also no stranger to the format having represented his country in 2006/07 and is a welcome inclusion for Coach Michael O’Connor who was able to secure the speedy winger from Wallabies training duties.
“I’m just really excited to be part of the team and to be heading to the Commonwealth Games,” said Cummins.
“We all think we have a great chance to secure a medal and will be aiming for that gold. It would be an amazing experience to be able to come away with the top prize and be able to say you’re a gold medallist for your country.
“I don’t mind a curry every now and then so heading to India is going to be great for the cultural side of things as well as the sport on offer,” Cummins said with a smile.
The 22 year old was the Australian Sevens leading try scorer in 2007 while Stannard has also proven to be a point scoring machine in the shortened form of the game.
Considered one of the standout Sevens players in the world, Stannard amassed an incredible 269 points in just six legs of the IRB Sevens World Series in 2010 after missing the opening two tournaments through injury.
The 27 year old has crossed for 15 tries this season and proudly led Australia to its first Cup Final victory in Sevens since 2002 with a win in London earlier this year.
Super rugby players Lachie Turner, Pat McCabe and Luke Morahan have also been added to the Aussie side which will be aiming to better the bronze medal won in 1998.
O’Connor has opted for a mix of big game experience and proven combinations with three of the London Sevens winning team, Bernard Foley, Nicholas Phipps and Stannard named in the final squad.
The Aussies have been drawn in Pool D alongside arch-rivals England as well as Namibia and Sri Lanka and O’Connor said he is confident his squad’s has the ability to be highly competitive.
“Three quarters of this squad is from this year’s Sevens Series and they’ve tasted good success, they’ve got good experience and solid combinations,” O’Connor said.
“I’ve been able to keep the nucleus of the team together and the four that have come in have been brought in to enhance the side.
“I think they’ve got the attributes which tick all of the right boxes.”
Nine of the 12 members of the Games squad hold Super rugby contracts for 2011.
2010 Australian Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens team
Robbie Coleman (20, NSW)
Nick Cummins (22, WA)
Bernard Foley (20, NSW)
Liam Gill (18, QLD)
Pat McCabe (22, NSW)
Pat McCutcheon (23, NSW)
Luke Morahan (20, QLD)
Nick Phipps (21, NSW)
Brian Sefanaia (24, NSW)
Kimami Sitauti (19, QLD)
James Stannard (27, ACT)
Lachie Turner (23, NSW)
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