Former Australia schoolboy sensation set for anticipated SVNS debut

Former schoolboy sensation Hadley Tonga has been described as an “absolute weapon” ahead of his highly anticipated debut in Australia’s Rugby Sevens campaign in Perth.

Tonga is one of Australian rugby’s most exciting young talents and even had NRL outfits Parramatta and Dolphins chasing his signature before he inked a three-year deal with the Australian Sevens program in 2023.

The 19-year-old would have made his Sevens debut last year if not for a frustrating run of injuries, including turf toe and a hamstring tear, that kept him out for 71 weeks.

But he’s finally ready to go, and opposition teams better watch out.

“He’s an absolute weapon,” teammate Hayden Sargeant said ahead of the Perth Sevens, which kicks off at HBF Park on Friday.

“I’m really excited to see him play. He’s been killing it at training, so I just want to see him with a bit of open space and pin the ears.”

Tonga was clocked at 10.84 seconds for the 100m sprint in 2022 when he was just 17 years old and in high school.

To put it simply – good luck catching him if he gets past you.

“There’s not a whole lot you can do if he’s already beaten you,” Sargeant said.

“I think he’s close to the quickest in Australian Rugby at the moment, if not the quickest. He’s rapid.”

Sargeant is urging Tonga to enjoy the moment.

“There’s already enough pressure from external and media and even friends and family,” Sargeant said.

“So just run out there with a smile on your face, soak it all in and give your mum and dad a wave.”

Tonga won’t be the only new face in Perth with the tournament to mark the first time Liam Barry takes the helm as coach.

Sargeant said Barry had already bonded well with the player group, and was in the process of tweaking their game plan.

“I guess the difference that he’s trying to implement is a little bit more variation through the middle,” Sargeant said.

“I think previously our style was really attack those edges and he wants to kind of put the defenders in the middle under a bit more pressure.

“So hopefully we can achieve that this weekend and score a few easier tries.”

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

Australia, who finished fourth at the Olympics, were runners-up in Perth last year.