SVNS stars and Wallabies great’s daughter named in Australia A side

The daughter of Wallabies great Morgan Turinui has been named in a stacked Australia A Women’s Sevens squad for the Pirika Sevens in Sapporo, with six Australian contracted HSBC SVNS Series players set to suit up for the side as well.

Darcy Turinui, who is the daughter of Wallabies great and current Stan Sport commentator Morgan Turinui, gets an opportunity. Layne Price, who is the daughter of NRL-Premiership winner Scott Prince, has been selected as well.

Rugby Australia announced the lineup on Friday, as the team looks ahead to the event hosted by Hokkaido Barbarians on June 6 to 7. This competition will be held on the same weekend as the final HSBC SVNS World Championship event of the season, which is in Bordeaux.

Mackenzie Davis received a major accolade at the Rugby Australia Awards last October, named the Junior Women’s Player of the Year after a breakout campaign on the sevens circuit. Davis has been included in the Australia A squad.

Amahli Hala, Bridge Clark, Kiiahla Duff, Rhani Hagan and Ruby Nicholas bring invaluable SVNS Series experience into this group, which includes a strong contingent of players out of the Next Gen Sevens Series pathway.

“The squad selected is a fantastic balance of World Series players and the best next generation Australia has to offer,” Australia A Women’s Head Coach Lachlan Parkinson said.

“Six players from the full-time national squad will play alongside players who excelled in the 2026 Next Gen series and Australian Youth programs.

“The team have been victorious several times but are coming off a third-place finish in 2025 the team will be looking to get back in the winner’s circle.

“With support of the Australian Rugby Foundation, it has allowed the players an opportunity for not only exposure and tournament play but also to experience another fantastic culture and country.”

Coby Ryan-Last, Anaia Cruickshank, Leilani Hills and Tiki Calliste round out the 12-person squad.

Rugby Australia has revealed this squad will jet off to Japan on Sunday, giving them one week of preparation leading into the competition. Local club Hokkaido Barbarians Diana are competing, as are a range of teams from across Japan.

“Women’s Rugby in Australia has enormous momentum, but real progress comes from investing in talented young players before they reach the top of the game,” Holly Kelsall, General Manager, Australian Rugby Foundation, added.

“International experiences like this accelerate development, build confidence and expose athletes to new environments and styles of play.

“The Australian Rugby Foundation is proud to support these young women as they represent Australia in Japan and take another important step in their rugby journey.”

Australia A Women’s Sevens squad for Pirika Sevens

Amahli Hala, Anaia Cruickshank, Bridget Clark, Cobi Ryan-Last, Darcy Turinui, Kiiahla Duff, Layne Price, Leilani Hills, Mackenzie Davis, Rhani Hagan, Ruby Nicholas, Tiki Calliste