Aussies call up former schoolboy prodigy for Sevens

Former schoolboy sensation Hadley Tonga is set to light up Perth after being named in Australia’s Rugby Sevens squad for the upcoming tournament at HBF Park.

Tonga turned down advances from NRL outfits the Eels and Dolphins in 2023 to sign a three-year deal with the Australian Sevens program.

Injuries have ensured his highly anticipated Sevens debut will now go ahead.

Australia men’s coach Liam Barry has included the 19-year-old for the January 24-26 tournament in Perth.

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The home nation sits a lowly eighth in the rankings after two events, and desperately need a good result in Perth to get their campaign back on track.

Tonga’s inclusion is one of three changes to the men’s squad that finished ninth in Cape Town, which followed their seventh-placed finish in Dubai.

Veteran Maurice Longbottom returns from injury to play his first match since the Paris Games, while Olympic reserve Josh Turner has signed a contract to return to the squad following the departure of star Nathan Lawson due to personal reasons.

Henry Paterson has been ruled out after picking up an injury in Cape Town, while Henry Palmer and James McGregor have been dropped. “We are stoked to welcome back Josh Turner and Maurice Longbottom to the squad while Hadley Tonga is looking to debut in Perth and that’s exciting for everyone,” Barry said. “Very few teams have a home tournament so the players know it comes with expectation and it’s a great opportunity for us.” Meanwhile, Australia women’s coach Tim Walsh has made just one change with Demi Hayes returning in place of Sariah Paki, who will miss the tournament with a calf complaint. Hayes missed the Cape Town tournament to manage her return from a knee injury but is back to help guide the squad in her 26th event.

Australia’s women sit second on the table after winning the season-opening Dubai Sevens before finishing fourth in Cape Town.

“Once a year we play international 7s on home soil and there is no better time to enjoy our rugby,” Australia women’s coach Tim Walsh said.

“Bella Nasser will lead the side again after a successful first outing in Dubai. “We will continue to develop our young guns alongside our existing world-class rugby players. “We have five more global series tournaments finishing off in a champions final in Los Angeles and it is shaping up for a rewarding year for the 7s players.” Australia’s men have been drawn into Pool A for the Perth Sevens alongside Argentina, South Africa and USA, while the Aussie women are in Pool C with matches against China, France and Spain in the regular rounds.

AUSTRALIA MEN: Henry Hutchison (capt), Ben Dowling, Matt Gonzalez, Ben Dalton, Maurice Longbottom, Jayden Blake, James Turner, Sid Harvey, Aden Ekanayake, Hayden Sargeant, Josh Turner, Hadley Tonga, Michael Icely.

AUSTRALIA WOMEN: Isabella Nasser (capt), Piper Simons, Faith Nathan, Mackenzie Davis, Teagan Levi, Charlotte Caslick, Tia Hinds, Demi Hayes, Maddison Levi, Heidi Dennis, Kahli Henwoo, Ruby Nicholas, Kiiahla Duff.