Bienne Terita returns as Australia name squads for Hong Kong Sevens

Paris Olympian Bienne Terita is back for the Australia Sevens Women’s side for the first of three HSBC SVNS World Championship Series events, which gets underway at the iconic Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens on April 17 to 19.

Terita missed the last two tournaments of the regular season at Vancouver’s BC Place and New York’s Sports Illustrated Stadium, but returns as the only change to an otherwise settled squad that boasts 296-tournament caps between them.

Sariah Paki is the most experienced player in this Australian squad, having worn the gold jersey in 40 events already. Try-scoring phenomenon Maddison Levi, Teagan Levim Madison Ashby and Faith Nathan have all played in at least 30 tournaments each.

Amahli Hala, Kaitlan Shave, Tia Hinds, Heidi Dennis, Khali Henwood, Alysia Lefau-Fakosilea and team co-captain Isabella Nasser round out the squad for the World Championship Series opener at Kai Tak Sports Park.

Australia have been draw in Pool B with reigning Olympic silver medallists Canada, Great Britain and SVNS 2 qualifiers South Africa. They made Cup Finals at all six regular season events but only claimed the SVNS Cape Town title with a win over New Zealand.

“We head off to Round 1 of the World Championships in iconic Hong Kong – the traditional home of Rugby Sevens,” coach Tim Walsh said.

“The first six legs have provided the squad with a lot of confidence and belief of performing well.

“The Black Ferns obviously go in as favourites but we will only be looking towards our pool games with South Africa emerging from the SVNS 2 Championship, the ever-improving Great Britain and then Paris silver medallists Canada.”

The Australia Sevens Men’s side will face traditional rivals New Zealand in a pool of death at the Hong Kong Sevens, with USA and Kenya also drawn in the group. Kenya made the SVNS Singapore Cup Final last year but were ultimately relegated to the second division.

Coach Liam Barry has named James McGregor in place of Ethan McFarland, while James Turner is set to make his 25^th tournament appearance. 65-tournament Henry Hutchison leads a side includes other experienced players like Maurice Longbottom and Dietrich Roache.

Ben Dowling, Josh Turner, Ben Dalton, Jayden Blake, Aden Ekanyake, Harry Wilson, Archie Saunders and Wallace Charlie have also been named. Australia finished the regular season in third place, behind only South Africa and Fiji.

“We’re excited to start the World Championships at the home of Rugby Sevens in Hong Kong,” coach Liam Barry explained.

“It’s a competition restart after six regular rounds and with four additional teams that now adds another layer of pressure to play well and qualify for the World Series in 2027.

“We’ve got a relatively fit and available squad to choose from and the non-selected players will get game time through the Hong Kong 10s played earlier in the week.”

Australia Sevens Women’s squad for Hong Kong Sevens

2. Amahli Hala – 7 events
3. Faith Nathan – 38 events
5. Teagan Levi – 30 events
6. Madison Ashby (c) – 31 events
8. Kaitlin Shave – 12 events
9. Tia Hinds – 27 events
10. Isabella Nasser (c) – 23 events
12. Maddison Levi – 32 events
13. Heidi Dennis – 11 events
15. Kahli Henwood – 10 events
22. Bienne Terita – 20 events
55. Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea – 15 events
65. Sariah Paki – 40 events

Australia Sevens Men’s squad for Hong Kong Sevens

1. Henry Hutchison (c) – 65 events
2. Ben Dowling – 26 events
3. James McGregor – 6 events
4. Dietrich Roache – 33 events
7. Josh Turner – 43 events
10. Ben Dalton – 15 events
11. Maurice Longbottom – 51 events
13. Jayden Blake – 12 events
14. James Turner – 24 events
23. Aden Ekanayake – 13 events
33. Harry Wilson – 6 events
49. Archie Saunders – 2 events
77. Wallace Charlie – 7 events