SVNS quartet named in First Nations & Pasifika squad for Hong Kong 10s

The First Nations & Pasifika team made a memorable debut against the British & Irish Lions last July in Melbourne, and now, the side is set to return in another format. Rugby Australia has made a significant announcement, revealing the FNP will field a side at the 2026 Hong Kong 10s.

Former Wallaby Glen Ella has been unveiled as the FNP Head Coach, while Matthew Sonter is involved as First Nations Rugby Manager. Four capped Australia Sevens internationals have been included in the 18-man squad.

After scoring an outrageous match-winning try for Australia against Great Britain at SVNS Perth earlier this year, Hadley Tonga has been named to represent the FNP. Ethan McFarland, Jarrah McLeod and Beau Morrison bring HSBC SVNS Series experience as well.

The FNP make their return against the Rugby Tens Select on Wednesday morning, playing three pool matches on April 15. They will also face HKFC Natixis Club and UBB 10s before turning their focus on two seeding matches, which will be played on Thursday.

“(The return of First Nations & Pasifika) was off the success of the team in Melbourne against the British & Irish Lions. There’s been quite a unique opportunity through Rugby Australia, which is that we could keep the brand alive and run it doing something with the Hong Kong 10s,” Sonter said.

“It’s not an original format of 7s or 15s, but the uniqueness of it is that it partners with the World Series, so Rugby Australia and those guys have helped us work out a plan of attack for First Nations Pasifika.

“We’ve put the wheels into motion with Glen Ella and Simon Raiwalui and myself, who were all involved in Melbourne and then started to identify all of our younger or developing players in and around our system in Rugby in Australia to give them an international stage to play on.”

First Nations & Pasifika squad for Hong Kong 10s

Logan Aldridge – Randwick
Malakye Enasio – ACT Brumbies (Academy)
Oliver Harvey – AU Sevens
Ethan McFarland – AU Sevens
Jarrah McLeod Ahern – ACT Brumbies
Chris Mickelson – ACT Brumbies (Academy)
Beau Morrison – AU Sevens
BJ Oates – Easts Rugby Union
Chace Oates – ACT Brumbies (Academy)
Garlen Peace – GPS
Gage Phillips – AU Sevens
Bailey Roberts-Lintmeijer – AU Sevens (Development)
John Samuelu – Tuggeranong Vikings
Siave Seti – Uni Norths
Samuel Toa – Uni Norths
Hadley Tonga – AU Sevens
Jordan Williams – Western Sydney Two Blues
Chaise Robinson – N/A

Schedule

• Match 1: First Nations & Pasifika v Rugby Tens Select on Wednesday 15 April at 9:30 (local time).
• Match 2: First Nations & Pasifika v HKFC Natixis Club on Wednesday 15 April at 13:55 (local time).
• Match 3: First Nations & Pasifika v UBB 10s on Wednesday 15 April at 17:05 (local time).
• Seeding Matches: First Nations & Pasifika v TBC on Thursday 16 April at TBC (local time)