Australia Sevens hit by mixed injury news before SVNS Series

Dietrich Roache suffered a devastating knee injury just before the Dubai Sevens last season, ending the playmaker’s season before it had begun. The Tokyo Olympian has spent a year on the sidelines but has been named to return to the HSBC SVNS Series this month.

Roache has been selected in coach Liam Barry’s squad for the Dubai Sevens on November 20-30, 12 months on from that devastating injury just before the same event last season. Three debutants have also been included in a group that boasts a mix of experience and youth.

The inclusion of the three debutants comes after pre-season injuries to co-captain Henry Paterson, Michael Icely and James Turner. Paterson will miss the 2025/26 season after suffering an ACL injury at training, while the other two will miss the first four rounds.

Former NSW Waratahs centre Harry Wilson joins the Queensland duo of Will Cartwright and Ethan McFarland as uncapped players in the Australia Sevens Men’s group, having all impressed during the off-season.

Wilson’s brother Teddy debuted for the national sevens side at SVNS Singapore before the Paris Olympics, but was injured at the National Stadium. Teddy has become a matchday regular at the Waratahs, scoring a sensational try against the Chiefs in Sydney earlier this year.

“We are looking forward to the 2025/2026 season and have a new-look squad with three debutants in Dubai,” Barry said in a statement.

“It’s very exciting for Ethan, Will and Harry as they look to represent Australia and their families.

“Unfortunately we have lost quality players Henry Paterson, James Turner and Michael Icely to injury and they were unavailable for selection.

“But in turn this provides others an opportunity to play on the world stage.”

After taking out the title in Dubai last season, the Australia Sevens Women’s side will look to repeat those heroics at The Sevens Stadium. Madison Ashby will share captaincy duties with Isabella Nasser, which Rugby Australia revealed on Wednesday.

Faith Nathan and Madison Levi are the two most experienced players in the squad, having played 32 and 26 events respectively. Teagan Levi and co-captain Ashby are equal third with 25 tournament appearances.

This will be Ashby’s first tournament since early 2024, where the halfback sustained a knee injury. Rugby Australia’s Junior Women’s Player of the Year, Mackenzie Davis, headlines a group of younger players eager to make their mark.

“We have enjoyed a strong pre-season jam-packed with rugby and off field growth,” women’s coach Tim Walsh explained.

“Unlike last season we approach round one in Dubai with a fit, strong and mostly available squad, making selections a real pleasure.

“Every training session has been about winning the drill and delivering healthy competition to better each other.

“The anticipated return of Kaitlin Shave and co-captain Madison Ashby after being sidelined last season really adds a little spark to the team’s mindset.

“This season plays a crucial role in achieving our strategic objectives for the short, medium and long-term horizons.”

Dubai is the first stop of the new-look SVNS Series, which heads to Cape Town before the New Year. Singapore, Perth, Vancouver and newly-announced hosts New York are other destinations during the regular season, before the new-look World Championships.

Hong Kong China, Valladolid and Bordeaux will host World Championships stops, as the top 12 teams in women’s and men’s sevens look to become SVNS Series champions.

Australia Sevens Men’s side for Dubai and Cape Town

1. Henry Hutchison (c) – 59 events
2. Ben Dowling – 21 events
3. James McGregor – 2 events
4. Dietrich Roache – 28 events
7. Josh Turner – 37 events
9. Will Cartwright – debut
10. Ben Dalton – 9 events
11. Maurice Longbottom – 48 events
13. Jayden Blake – 6 events
23. Aden Ekanayake – 7 events
24. Ethan McFarland – debut
33. Harry Wilson – debut
77. Wallace Charlie – 1 event

Australia Sevens Women’s side for Dubai and Cape Town

2. Amahli Hala – 2 events
3. Faith Nathan – 32 events
4. Mackenzie Davis – 6 events
5. Teagan Levi – 25 events
6. Madison Ashby (c) – 25 events
8. Kaitlin Shave – 8 events
9. Tia Hinds – 20 events
10. Isabella Nasser (c) – 17 events
12. Maddison Levi – 26 events
13. Heidi Dennis – 6 events
22. Bienne Terita – 16 events
23. Ruby Nicholas – 10 events
65. Sariah Paki – 36 events

Players unavailable for selection

Charlotte Caslick (personal reasons)
Demi Kennewell (knee) – Vancouver 7s
Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea (shoulder) – Vancouver 7s
Michael Icely (shoulder) – Vancouver 7s
Henry Paterson (knee) – 2026/2027 season
James Turner (foot) – Vancouver 7s