Commonwealth Games Sevens

[Burgs]

With the Commonwealth Games Sevens just over a month away, I thought we should start having a look at who is to be involved both in terms of teams and Australia's players.
The Tournament is to be held at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne with the following nations competing:

Australia
Canada
Cook Islands
England
Fiji (Current IRB World Champions)
Kenya
Namibia
New Zealand (Defending Champions)
Niue (replacing Zambia)
Samoa
Scotland
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Tonga
Uganda
Wales

Although there are some rugby minnows, the field includes seven of the top ten ranked Sevens nations in the world.
This will be a very tough competition to win with several of the nations bolstering their squads with International Capped players.

[Burgs]

They may not be household names, but the young players in the Australian Sevens have their sights set on big things. Tuck the names away in the memory bank for they are the Super 14 and Wallaby stars of the future.

They head off this weekend to play in the Wellington and Los Angeles Sevens after which the team for the Commonwealth Games will be selected, along with the agreed inclusion of a starting XV player and a non starting XV player from each of Australia's Super 14 Squads if required.

Listed below are the player profiles for these up-and-coming stars.

MATTHEW BELL
Club (State): Gordon (NSW)
Position: Fullback
Nickname: Belly
Height: 183 cm Weight: 93 kg
Date and place of birth: 18/09/86, Sydney
Home town/suburb: Roseville
Primary School: Roseville Public School
Secondary school: Shore, North Sydney - 2004
Tertiary Education: Commerce (Liberal) Studies, Sydney University (first year)
Junior club (s): Lindfield
Senior club (s): Gordon
Representative honours:
2003-04 - NSW Schools
2005 - Australian & NSW U19s
IRB Sevens tournament: 2005 - George
Best moment in Rugby: Playing for Australia
Interests outside Rugby: Music, beach
Career aspirations after Rugby: Business
Best Rugby player of all time: Mark Ella
Most admired person: Nelson Mandela
Matthew Bell has been playing Rugby on Sydney's north shore since starting at the Lindfield Under 9s. He attending the Shore School in North Sydney and is a Gordon clubman through and through. Last year he made the Australian Under 19s team that played in the IRB World Championship in South Africa. However his tour was cut short when he broke a hand in the match against Argentina and he was forced to return home early. A former AIS Scholarship holder, Matthew is currently studying Commerce/Liberal Studies at Sydney University and has his sights set on a career in business.

MICHAEL BLACK
Club (State): Southern Districts (NSW)
Position: Fullback/utility back
Nickname: Blackey
Height: 175 cm Weight: 80 kg
Date and place of birth: 11/01/77, Sydney
Home town/suburb: Gymea
Primary School: St. Catherine's Gymea
Secondary school: St Patrick's Sutherland
Junior club (s): Sylvania Bulldogs
Senior club (s): West Harbour, Driffield (01-02) and Southern Districts
IRB Sevens tournament: 2005 - Dubai, George
Best moment in Rugby: Being picked in Australian Sevens Rugby team
Interests outside Rugby: Rugby league, cricket, surfing
Career aspirations after Rugby: Own a successful plumbing business
Best Rugby player of all time: Nick Farr Jones
Most admired person: Kostya Tzyu
Michael Black grew up in the Southern Districts of Sydney, attending high school at St Patrick's, Sutherland. While at school, Michael signed up with his local rugby club, the Sylvania Bulldogs and has since played with numerous senior clubs including Southern Districts and West Harbour as well as a two-year stint with English club Driffield (near Yorkshire). Michael is a third generation footballer - his father Peter and grandfather Tiger both played first grade Rugby League for St George. Tiger was also one of the early Rugby League radio commentators who called the game on 2KY with Frank Hyde. Michael owns his own plumbing business and also enjoys cricket, rugby league and surfing.

VINNIE BYRNE
Club (State): Warringah (NSW)
Position: Scrumhalf
Nickname: Vinnie
Height: 169cm Weight: 78kg
Date and place of birth: 14 August 1982, Manly
Home town/suburb: Forestville
Primary School: Our Lady of Good Counsel
Secondary school: St Pius X College, Chatswood
Senior club (s): Norths (01-02) and Warringah (03 -05)
Representative honours:
2001 - NSW Under 19s
IRB Sevens tournament: 2005 - Dubai, George
Best moment in Rugby: Playing against Serevi at a Sevens tournament in London (on the Australian Legends tour)
Interests outside Rugby: Surfing
Best Rugby player of all time: Mark Ella
Most admired person: Vaughan Byrne (brother)
Vinnie Byrne was born and bred on Sydney's northern beaches, playing Rugby League as a youngster before attending St Pius X College in Chatswood where he got the taste for Rugby Union. He played for Norths after leaving school in 2001, and that year played for the NSW Under 19s. In 2003 he moved to Warringah and in 2005 he made a big contribution to the Rat's Shute Shield success. He also enjoyed success with the victorious "Trim Tahs" at the Under 85kg World Championship in Phuket that year. Vinnie's father Peter played Rugby League for Manly behind Max Krillich in the 1970s while his brother Vaughan also played Reserve Grade for Manly from 1993-97. Vinnie works as a stevedore for P&O on the Botany Bay wharves and enjoys surfing in his spare time.

JOSH GAMGEE
Club (State): Gordon (NSW)
Position: Hooker/halfback
Nickname: Gamj
Height: 178cm Weight: 86kg
Date and place of birth: 13 June 1980, Sydney
Home town/suburb: Manly Vale
Primary School: Dee Why Primary
Secondary school: Balgowlah Boys High 1998
Tertiary Education: Bachelor of Physical Education
Senior club (s):
2001 - Manly Marlins
2002-03 - Northern Suburbs
2004-05 - Gordon
Representative honours:
1998 - Australian Schoolboys Rugby Union
1999-2000 - Australian Tertiary Rugby League
1999-01 - West Sydney Tigers Reserve Grade
2001-02- Australia Barbarians Rugby Union (Sevens)
2004-05 - Australian Sevens
IRB Sevens tournaments: 2004 - Dubai, George, Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Paris. 2005 - Dubai, George
Best moment in Rugby: 2005 Rugby Sevens World Cup
Interests outside Rugby: Beach, sports, fitness
Career aspirations after Rugby: Fitness related business
Josh Gamgee grew up on Sydney's northern beaches and attended Balgowlah Boys High School. He played junior Rugby League at Manly and in 1996, at the age of 15, was offered a contract with the BalmainTigers where he played through to 2001. However, while he was still at school, his friends convinced him to play some Rugby Union and to try out for the NSW Combined High Schools team, in which he was selected in 1997. The next year, while still playing League for the Tigers, he made the Australian Schoolboys Rugby team alongside the likes of George Smith and David Lyons. In 2001 he finished with the Tigers to concentrate on his Rugby and has since played for Manly, Northern Suburbs and now Gordon. He was selected in the Australia Barbarians Rugby Union (Sevens) side in 2001 and 2002 before missing the majority of the 2003 season to have ankle surgery. He came back in 2004 and made his debut in the Australian Sevens side that year. Josh enjoys many sports and going to the beach. He works as a personal trainer and hopes to be part of the fitness industry after Rugby.

LUKE INMAN
Club (State): Sydney Uni (NSW)
Position: Outside Centre
Nickname: Duke
Height: 192cm Weight: 98kg
Date and place of birth: 27/12/77, Sydney
Home town/suburb: Yowie Bay
How did you first get into Rugby: Aged 16 at Waverly College, and also played Rugby League as a junior from ages 7-15
Secondary school: Waverly College
Tertiary Education: Bachelor of Medical Science with honours and Bachelor of Medicine/Surgery- DABBS currently in fourth year
Junior club (s): De La Salle, Waverly College
Senior club (s): Sydney University
Representative honours:
1999- Australian Universities
2001- Sydney University 1st XV Premiers
2001- Selected Australia A v British Lions (ruled out with injury)
2000-02 - NSW Waratahs (14 Super 12 Caps and 6 State Caps)
2003-05 - Australian Sevens
IRB Sevens Tournaments 2003 - Dubai, George 2004 - Wellington, LA, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bordeaux, Dubai, George. 2005 - Wellington, Los Angeles, Hong Kong. 2005 - Dubai, George
Best moments: Super 12 debut for the NSW Waratahs v Chiefs in 2001
At 27, Luke is the senior member of the Australian Sevens team and is also a budding surgeon. He played junior Rugby League before starting his Rugby Union career as a 16 year old at Waverley College. He was in the starting lineup for the NSW Waratahs for every match of the 2001 season, including all 11 Super 12 matches and the tour match against the British Lions. By the end of 2002 he had fallen out of favour with NSW selectors but was offered a contract with the Queensland Reds for 2004. This left him with a tough decision, as he was unable to transfer his medical studies from Sydney University to Brisbane, and he opted to remain in Sydney to study. Since then he has become a fixture in the Sydney University backline. He played a major role in their successful Tooheys New Cup campaign in 2005 and picked up the club's Best Back award for his efforts. When not playing rugby or studying medicine, Luke is a keen surfer.

[Burgs]

SHAWN MACKAY (c)
Club (State): Randwick (NSW)
Position: Flanker
Nickname: Macca
Height: 196 cm Weight: 102 kg
Date and place of birth: 31/05/82, Sydney
Home town/suburb: Kensington
Primary School: St. Anthony's Clovelly
Secondary school: Waverley College 1999
Junior club (s): Clovelly Eagles, Randwick
Senior club (s): Randwick
Representative honours:
2000 - Sydney Roosters, S.G. Ball (U18s)
2001/02 - Sydney Roosters, Jersey Flegg (U21s)
2003/04 - Sydney Roosters, 1st Division
2004/05 - Australian Sevens
IRB Sevens tournament: 2004 - Dubai, George. 2005 - Wellington, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Paris. 2005 - Dubai
Best moment in Rugby: Winning 2nd Grade Grand Final with Randwick in 2004 and the Quarter Final win against South Africa at the 2005 Rugby Sevens World Cup
Other sporting achievements: 2002 Jersey Flegg premiers with the Sydney Roosters
Interests outside Rugby: Golf, athletics, greyhounds
Career aspirations after Rugby: Own personal training company
Best Rugby player of all time: John Eales
Most admired person: Brad Fittler
A product of Waverley College in Sydney, Shawn followed in his father's footsteps by joining the Sydney Roosters after leaving school (his father John played Rugby League for Eastern Suburbs and Newtown from 1976-1998 ). Shawn played in the 2002 Jersey Flegg Premiership winning team (Under 21s) and played 1st Division in 2003 and 2004 before returning to Rugby Union in 2005. He was a standout player for the Australian Sevens in the 2004/05 IRB Series with his bullocking runs and hard-hitting defence. His lead-by-example attitude saw him elevated to the Australian Sevens captaincy for the 2005/06 IRB Sevens season, although he had to miss the 2005 George Sevens so that he could act as best man for Wallaby mate Morgan Turinui. Shawn and Morgan are old mates, having started playing Rugby together at the Clovelly Eagles as five year olds.

LUKE MILTON
Club (State): Southern Districts (NSW)
Position: Fullback/wing
Nickname: Milts
Height: 189 cm Weight: 97 kg
Date and place of birth: 18/03/1982, Paddington
Home town/suburb: Bangor
Primary School: Bangor Primary
Secondary school: The Scots College
Junior club (s): Menai Roosters
Senior club (s):
Sydney Roosters, Wests Tigers (Rugby League)
Randwick, Southern Districts (Rugby Union)
Representative honours:
2001 - NSW U19s, Australian Junior Kangaroos
2001/02 - Sydney Roosters, First Grade
2003 - West Tigers, First Grade
2004 - NSW Waratahs tour to Argentina (selected but injured, so did not tour)
2005 - NSW Waratahs
IRB Sevens tournament: 2005 - Dubai, George
Best moment in Rugby: NSW Waratahs debut against Auckland
Interests outside Rugby: Travelling, surfing
Career aspirations after Rugby: Tourism/hopitality industry
Best Rugby player of all time: David Campese
Most admired person: Father
Luke Milton was born in Paddington and raised in the Sutherland Shire in Sydney. He attended Bangor Primary School before attending the Scots College where he got his first taste of Rugby Union. After school, Luke played Rugby League with the Sydney Roosters and the West Tigers. In 2001 he was selected in the NSW Under 19s Rugby League side, as well as the Junior Kangaroos. He switched back to Rugby Union in 2004 and played for Randwick before moving to his current club, Southern Districts. Luke's talents were spotted by NSW Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie who selected him on their 2004 end-of-season trip to South America, but a dislocated shoulder just days before departure ruled him out of the tour. However he made up for it last year when he made his debut for the Waratahs in their end-of-season match against Auckland in Gosford. After rugby, Luke hopes to be part of the tourism/hospitality industry.

DAMON MURPHY
Club (State): Brothers (QLD)
Position: Fullback
Height: 174cm Weight: 80kg
Date and place of birth: 15/12/1983, Brisbane
Home town/suburb: Ascot
Primary School: Eagle Junction State Primary School
Secondary school: St. Joseph's Nudgee College- 2001
Junior club (s): Brothers Junior Rugby Club
Senior club (s): Brothers
Representative honours: 2004 - Australian Barbarians. 2005 - Australian Sevens
IRB Sevens tournament: 2005 - Wellington, Los Angeles, Paris, London
Best moment in Rugby: Being picked for the Reds 2005 end-of-season tour
Other sporting achievements: Former 2nd grade all round cricketer in the Brisbane grade cricket competition
Interests outside Rugby: Golf, cricket
Career aspirations after Rugby: Financial planning
Best Rugby player of all time: Brendan Gabbert (Club stalwart at Brothers)
Most admired person: Matt Hayden
Damon Murphy has not followed the typical representative pathway through the Schoolboys, U19s and U21s representative teams, but at 22 years of age he is a player on the rise. He first pulled on the boots as a seven-year-old for the Brisbane club Brothers where he still plays his Rugby. He made his Australian Sevens debut last year, playing in four IRB Sevens tournaments. He topped off a good year by getting a late call up from Jeff Miller for the QLD Reds' end-of-season tour to Argentina where he played in matches against Santa Fe, Mendoza and Tucuman. His sister Brody Murphy has been in the Australian swimming squad in recent years and narrowly missed selection for the Athens Olympics in 2004 while his brother Keiren is a first grade cricket. Damon cites backyard cricket as one of his keenest interests outside Rugby, providing his brother with plenty of competition during the summer months.

RICHARD O'CONNOR
Club (State): West Harbour (NSW)
Position: Wing
Nickname: Richie
Height: 187 cm Weight: 90 kg
Date and place of birth: 7/08/1982, Orange
Home town/suburb: Breakfast Point
Primary School: St. Edward's, Canowindra
Secondary school: St. Joseph's College - 2000
Tertiary Education: Degree in Sports Business
Junior club (s): Canowindra Tigers
Senior club (s):
2002 - 2004 - Gordon
2005 - West Harbour
Representative honours:
2001- Combined States, NSW and Australia U19s
2005 - Australian Sevens
IRB Sevens tournament: 2005 - Singapore, London, Paris. 2005 - Dubai, George
Best moment in Rugby: Running out at Twickenham for the London Sevens
Other sporting achievements: Schools State Athletics Championships 2000 (110 metres hurdles)
Other talents: Cooking
Interests outside Rugby: Stocks, spearfishing
Career aspirations after Rugby: Run a successful business
Best Rugby player of all time: Jonah Lomu
Most admired person: Brian Henderson
Richard O'Connor first pulled on the boots at the age of 10 at Canowindra in the Central West of NSW. He attended St Joseph's College in Sydney where he not only excelled in Rugby but was also a handy sprinter and hurdler. He ran in the 110m hurdles in the 2000 Schools State Athletics Championship before easing off the athletics to concentrate on his Rugby. He made the Australia Under 19s in 2001 and played in the IRB U19 World Championship in Chile in a backline that included Mark Gerrard and Lachlan Mackay. He missed the cut for the Australian Under 21s but made his mark at the Gordon club before moving to West Harbour last year. Richard has done a degree in Sports Business and is currently working for a marketing consulting firm in Sydney. In his spare time he loves to cook and cites his garlic prawn as his current signature dish.

VILIAME RATU
Club (State): Southern Districts (NSW)
Position: Flanker
Nickname: Billy
Height: 193 cm Weight: 96 kg
Date and place of birth: 8/07/1975, Fiji
Home town/suburb: Heathcote
Primary School: Lewisham Primary
Secondary school: Strathfield Adventist High School
Senior club (s): Newcastle Wildfire, Canberra Vikings, Southern Districts
Representative honours:
IRB Sevens tournament: 2005 - Dubai, George
Best moment in Rugby: Being selected in the Australian Sevens team
Career aspirations after Rugby: Landscaping
Best Rugby player of all time: Michael Jones
Most admired person: God
Viliame Ratu was born and grew up in Fiji in a village close to his friend and fellow Australian Sevens squad member Naibuka Tuiloa. Arriving in Australia at the age of 11, Viliame attended Lewisham Primary School before moving on to Strathfield Adventist High School. He has played for Newcastle, Canberra Vikings and now in Sydney's Southern Districts. He has also enjoyed success with the Sydney Fiji Sevens team since 1999, playing at tournaments such as the Kiama, Coffs Harbour and Warringah Sevens. Viliame is not the first in his family to represent Australia on the Rugby field - his first cousin Radike Samo has starred for the Brumbies and the Wallabies. Viliame says that his life has been changed for the better after turning to Christianity, and is affectionately known as Billy by his team mates.

[Burgs]

NICK REILY
Club (State): West Harbour (NSW)
Nickname: Reilz
Position: Fullback
Height: 186 cm Weight: 88 kg
Date and place of birth: 18/09/80, Australia
Home town/suburb: Bangor
Primary School: Holy Family Menai
Secondary school: Aquinas College
Tertiary Education: Bachelor of Physical Education (second year)
Senior club (s): West Harbour
Representative honours:
2001- Wollongong Wolves (Soccer)
2002 - St George Dragons (League)
2004 - NSW Waratahs tour to Argentina (selected but injured, so did not tour)
2004-05 - Australian Sevens
IRB Sevens tournament: 2004 - Dubai, George. 2005 - Wellington, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Singapore. 2005 - Dubai, George
Other talents: Diving
Career aspirations after Rugby: Teacher
Nick Reily is a talented soccer player who spent time at the Wollongong Wolves before being picked up by the St George Rugby League club in 2002. He is a fullback with genuine pace and when friends convinced him to play Rugby Union at West Harbour, he made an instant impact. Like his Australian Sevens team mate Luke Milton, he was unlucky not to join the NSW Waratahs on their 2004 end-of-season trip to Argentina due to a last-minute injury. However he was a stand out for Australia during the 2004/05 IRB Sevens series, scoring 27 tries in six tournaments to become the second highest try scorer on the circuit. Last year he crossed the Tasman for a stint in the NPC where he was a regular starter in the number 15 jersey for Otago. His older brother Blake played tennis for Australia at the Under 21 level.

ANTHONY SAUER
Club (State): Brothers (QLD)
Nickname: Ant
Position: Wing
Height: 183cm Weight: 84kg
Date and place of birth: 18/9/80, Brisbane
Home town/suburb: Stafford Heights
How did you first get into Rugby: School
Junior club (s):
Secondary school: St. Columban's College
Senior clubs: Brothers
Tertiary Education: Diploma of Sport Development and Coaching
Representative honours:
2003 - Australian Barbarians
2004 - Australian Barbarians, QLD XV
2004-05 - Australian Sevens
2005 - Queensland Reds
IRB Sevens tournaments: 2004 - Dubai, George. 2005 - Wellington, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Paris
Best moments: Sevens Rugby World Cup 2005
Anthony Sauer grew up in Brisbane and is a relative late-comer to Rugby Union, having only started playing the game in 1997 in his final year at St Columbans High School. After school he studied a Diploma in Sport Development and Coaching, which he currently uses in his job as a Development Officer with the Brothers club. He played for the Australian Barbarians against QLD A in 2003 and in 2004 he marked try-scoring machine Sitiveni Sivivatu when a QLD XV played the touring Pacific Islanders. That year he made his debut in the Australian Sevens team and went on to play every tournament in the 2004/05 IRB Series, becoming one of Australia's main strike weapon. Last year he entered the Reds Rugby College and made his full debut off the bench for Queensland in their match against the Junior All Blacks as well as playing the majority of the season for QLD A. He was ruled out of last December's tournaments in Dubai and George due to a heavily broken nose caused by a nasty head clash at training. Aside from rugby, Ant enjoys coaching Rugby Union and hopes to continue coaching after his sporting career.

[Burgs]

Sauer freed for sevens

By Jim Tucker
January 24, 2006

QUICK-stepping Queensland wing Anthony Sauer has been freed to make a full-on bid for the Commonwealth Games sevens side, despite the Reds' shortage of outside backs.

Sauer could have been kept in Brisbane as back-up because scans yesterday confirmed frontline wing Peter Hynes had torn knee ligaments and would miss between two and six Super 14 matches.

But Reds coach Jeff Miller agreed to a request from Australia sevens coach Glen Ella to make Sauer available for tournaments in Wellington (February 3-4) and Los Angeles (February 11-12).

"I'm conscious that winning selection for the Commonwealth Games is a huge thing for Anthony when I might just have held him here to play a bit part as back up," Miller said.

Miller felt comfortable with the decision yesterday after wing Henari Veratau trained on his dodgy hamstring.

He must still handle an increasing load on the leg to be fit for the February 2 trial against the Highlanders in Oamaru.

Ella indicated he was keen for Sauer to be a factor in Australia's bid for medal glory in Melbourne in March.

"I've been rapt in his ability since he played so well at last year's Hong Kong Sevens but I haven't been able to get my hands on him for the past four tournaments because of injuries," Ella said.

"I need to see him play."

Ella would not name the four Super 14 aces he hopes will bolster his squad for the Commonwealth Games, but Chris Latham, Matt Giteau, Scott Fava and Lote Tuqiri are the hot tips.
"You want to go in to win it and the players we pick up will give us an advantage," Ella said.

The Courier-Mail

[Burgs]

Tietjens names 8 newcomers in NZ 7's squad

from Super14.com

The youngest is Auckland back Lachie Munro who is only 19. The New Zealand sevens tournament is in Wellington on February 3-4.

"The new players have convinced me of their ability to compete at the next level and this is their opportunity to show that on the international stage," Tietjens said.

"This starts next week in Wellington and the guys are excited at the challenge of playing in front of their home crowd."

New Zealand are drawn in pool C along with the Kenya, the Cook Islands and Samoa.

New Zealand sevens squad:

Charles Baxter (Bay of Plenty), Edwin Cocker (Otago), DJ Forbes (Auckland), Craig Hudson (North Harbour), Nigel Hunt (Wellington), Tafai Ioasa (Hawke's Bay, captain), Cory Jane (Wellington), Zar Lawrence (North Harbour), James Maher (Counties-Manukau), Lachie Munro (Auckland), Lote Raikabula (Wellington), Hayden Reid (Bay of Plenty), Alando Soakai (Otago), Dwayne Sweeney (Waikato), Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a (Auckland), Amasio Valence (Auckland). One to be added.

[Burgs]

Australia to meet PNG in Wellington Sevens

February 03, 2006 - 10:14am
Story by: ARU

Australian will play Papua New Guinea at 12:50pm today (AEST) when Day One of the Wellington Sevens gets underway this afternoon.

Australia will also meet Scotland and England in the cauldron of a packed Westpac Stadium later this afternoon.

The atmosphere and colour of the Wellington Sevens makes it one of the most entertaining tournaments on the IRB Sevens circuit.

It is an atmosphere that Australian coach Glen Ella would like to see recreated in Melbourne for the Commonwealth Games, which is only 40 days away.

"There is always a great buzz at the Wellington Sevens," Ella said.

"They have some pretty crazy fans over here who get dressed up and really get involved in the games. They get right behind the New Zealand team, and in between matches they are dancing in the isles.

"It creates a great carnival atmosphere, and it would be great to see a similar atmosphere in Melbourne when we play in the Commonwealth Games in less than six weeks.

"I encourage all Australian sports fans to get their tickets to the Commonwealth Games Sevens, get their Wallaby jersey out and create a sea of gold at the Telstra Dome in 40 days time."
For information about tickets to the Commonwealth Games Sevens, go to www.melbourne2006.com.au. Live results for the Wellington Sevens can be found at www.sevens.co.nz.

Wellington Sevens - Day 1

2:50pm (12:50pm AEST) Australia v PNG
5:46pm (3:46pm AEST) Australia v Scotland
9:34pm (7:34pm AEST) Australia v England

[Burgs]

Australian team for 2006 Wellington & Los Angeles Sevens

Shawn Mackay (c)
Randwick, NSW

Matthew Bell
Gordon, NSW

Michael Black
Southern Districts, NSW

Vinnie Byrne
Randwick, NSW

Josh Gamgee
Gordon, NSW

Luke Inman
Sydney University, NSW

Luke Milton
Southern Districts, NSW

Damon Murphy
Brothers, QLD

Richard O'Connor
West Harbour, NSW

Viliame Ratu
Southern Districts, NSW

Nick Reily
West Harbour, NSW

Anthony Sauer
Brothers, QLD

[Burgs]

2005/06 IRB Sevens Series

1-2 Dec 2005 Dubai (UAE)
9-10 Dec 2005 George (South Africa)
3-4 Feb 2006 Wellington (New Zealand)
11-12 Feb 2006 Los Angeles (USA)
16-17 March 2006 Commonwealth Games, Melbourne (not part of IRB Sevens)
31 March & 1-2 April Hong Kong (China)
8-9 April 2006 Singapore (Singapore)
27-28 May 2006 Paris (France)
3-4 June 2006 London (England

[Burgs]

Match 1 Result:
Australia 24
Papua New Guinea 10

Full match review: http://www.sevens.co.nz/Documents/In...%20v%20PNG.pdf

Next Australian Match: 5:46pm (12:46pm WST), Australia v Scotland

[Burgs]

Match 2 Result:
Australia 22
Scotland 12

Full match review: http://www.sevens.co.nz/Documents/In...20Scotland.pdf

Next Australian Match: 4:34pm WST Australia v England

[.X.]

my vote was for the Kiwi sevens - my heart said Fiji, but i think the Kiwis are stronger

[Burgs]

Four Wallabies in Games sevens team

Australia has named a strong squad featuring four Wallabies for the rugby union sevens tournament at next month's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Chris Latham and Scott Fava are part of a 12-man squad, giving all four Australian Super 14 sides representation in the Games team.

Regular sevens players Shawn Mackay, Joshua Gamgee, Luke Inman, Damon Murphy and Nick Reily have been rewarded for their fine form on the IRB Sevens circuit.

Also included were Tom McVerry, Cameron Shepherd and pocket-sized speedster Brendan Williams, who has returned from Italian club Benetton for his second Commonwealth Games.

Williams played for New South Wales in the 2001 Super 12 season before heading to Italy.

Coach Glen Ella said the inclusion of four Wallabies would boost the team and the crowd numbers.

"Sevens is a high-speed game that can turn on a bounce of the ball, so there is no question that guys like Tuqiri, Fava, Latham and Giteau are well suited to it, " he said in a statement.

"They have the speed, power, footwork and big-game experience that will hopefully give us the edge when we come up against the big guns of Sevens Rugby like New Zealand, Fiji, England and South Africa."

Ella also thanked the Super 14 coaches for making their players available.

"The Commonwealth Games falls in the middle of the Super 14 tournament, but the four coaches have been really understanding in allowing us to select their star players," he said.

"It is only with their cooperation that we are able to put the best possible Australian Sevens team on the paddock in Melbourne."

Pool A: New Zealand, Kenya, Wales, Namibia
Pool B: Fiji, Scotland, Canada, Zambia
Pool C: England, Australia, Cook Islands, Sri Lanka
Pool D: South Africa, Samoa, Tonga, Uganda.

Australian team:

Scott Fava (Force),
Josh Gamgee (NSW),
Matt Giteau (Brumbies),
Chris Latham (Reds),
Luke Inman (NSW),
Shawn Mackay (NSW),
Tom McVerry (Reds),
Damon Murphy (QLD),
Nick Reily (NSW),
Cameron Shepherd (Force),
Lote Tuqiri (Waratahs),
Brendan Williams (NSW).

[Mambo No. 5]

I can't believe that they have raided two of the Forces top line players and only one from the Tah's and Brumbies whilst the reds have a bye that week in the Super 14.....

Is it just me or are we the most penalised by the above selections?

[The EnForcer]

I can't believe that they have raided two of the Forces top line players and only one from the Tah's and Brumbies whilst the reds have a bye that week in the Super 14.....

Is it just me or are we the most penalised by the above selections?

I felt we were a bit hard done by the selection. However, no point in being paranoid when you know the bastards are out to get us.

PS At present Scotland are 2nd equal favourits to win the 7s.....cool!