Son of a Wallaby legend set for Aussie Sevens debut in Singapore
Former Australia U20s captain Teddy Wilson is in line to make his HSBC SVNS Series debut at the seventh round in Singapore on May 3-5, the penultimate leg in the 2023/24 campaign.
The son of former Wallaby and Rugby World Cup winner David, Wilson is one of two changes to John Manenti’s side from Hong Kong.
The 21-year-old Waratahs half-back has been called into the squad with Maurice Longbottom (hamstring) and Matt Gonzalez (shoulder) unavailable through injury. James McGregor also returns for his second tournament after making his sevens debut in Cape Town.
Australia have already qualified for the Grand Final in Madrid in June after finishing fourth in Hong Kong, and will be looking to improve their ranking for both the final and the Paris Olympic Games in July.
Manenti said: “As the tournaments roll around, they all become more significant in one way or another. For us, the chance to play consistently remains a key focus. There were heaps of positives to take from Hong Kong and on a short turnaround we have worked on a few areas to improve on for Singapore.
Your #HSBCSVNSHKG winners ?
Don't miss out on tickets for Singapore SVNS, to see if @nz_sevens can continue their winning ways ?#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSSGP
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) April 7, 2024
“On the back of a few injury niggles, we get to welcome Teddy Wilson from the Waratahs into the squad for his debut. We are grateful to the Waratahs to give us the opportunity to play Teddy and know that he will fit right in with the team.
“We also welcome back for his second cap, Jimmy McGregor. He was the standout player in the recent Hong Kong 10s tournament when playing with the PAC Baa-Baas and has been training full-time with us for the past six months.
“The rest of the squad remains the same, with Michael Hooper getting further exposure after handling Hong Kong well.”
For the women’s side, Tim Walsh has made two key changes with Australian legends Charlotte Caslick and Sharni Smale set to miss the Singapore trip due to niggling injuries.
Dominique du Toit returns from an ankle injury in a timely boost while Lily Dick and Sidney Taylor are the fresh faces in the squad with Bienne Terita also unavailable.
The Aussie women claimed bronze in Hong Kong and are chasing another strong showing with arch-rivals New Zealand currently equal in points at the top of the table.
“We are after a performance in Singapore as we prepare for the final event in Madrid and the Olympics in July,” Walsh said.
“We are equal top on competition points with New Zealand, which makes for a Singapore showdown, and watching France beat them in Hong Kong at their peak makes for a very competitive last couple of tournaments.
"It’s an important part of the game. A lot of people don’t like it."
– Teddy Wilson, with Liam Heagney ???, on box kicking, the Junior Wallabies and having a Rugby World Cup-winning father. #WorldRugbyU20shttps://t.co/RFHETVCBip
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 8, 2023
“Madison Ashby will captain the team in Charlotte Caslick’s absence and both Bridget Clark and Ruby Nicholas will play in their second cap in Singapore.”
The women’s side start their campaign against Brazil on Friday, May 3, before clashing with Great Britain later that day. The Aussie men face series leaders Argentina in their first match, followed by Canada.
- Click here for all the details about the Singapore SVNS
Comments on RugbyPass
Bath Fan acting all innocent, like Hill would just walk up and casually do that without a reason too 😂
1 Go to commentsDrua have been a fantastic addition to Super. Aus now down to 4 teams. Bring the Jaguares back in, they were Finalists in their last season. Super crowds are rising with afternoon KO’s, not having to cowtow to viewer schedules in UK/SA. win-win.
1 Go to commentsHamilton is an idiot. This cringeworthy desperation of journalists to enter the ‘GOAT’ debate. Have they lost the ability to think of something new and interesting to write about ? Its a pointless argument. Even using the eg of McCaw and Carter. One is a back, the other a forward. 2 totally different skill sets. Impossible to compare. Does a player need to win gold to be considered a ‘GOAT’ or is his skill evaluated independently of trophies ? And why compare Dupont, still at the start/mid of his career with 2 players with 150 caps each (approx) ? are Gareth Edwards and Pinetree Meads and Danie Gerber and David Campese not considered because they were amateurs ? Maybe let Dupont have his career first. And then compare him with others in his position, only.
27 Go to commentsJapan deserves better than this.
3 Go to commentsLove watching this kid play. He’ll be wearing black at some stage.
3 Go to commentsNoah Hotham has put in some stellar performances at halfback for the Crusaders. Especially home win against the Chiefs, loss to the Highlanders and the last two home wins against the Blues and Moana Pasifika. Confidence and skill set. Well summed up by coach Rob Penney. Noah is a All Black in waiting.
3 Go to commentsIf you want to bugger up a game give it to O’Keefe. Inconsistent advantage rulings for knock ons, an unfortunate propensity to use cards instead of player management. Ross may well have been offside but he had no influence on that phase of play. Its a pity O’Keefe is not Australian and then he would not be reffing the Wallabies - at least we are saved from Berry!
1 Go to commentsRachel Burford had the best pass in women’s rugby and was a class act. Jill Scott would have had many more England caps if the competition for places had not been so keen. Many other nations would have welcomed her.
2 Go to commentsAn SA team tops the log again
3 Go to commentsMarius Louw used to be the guy who couldn’t catch a ball. But this season he seems to be the guy suffering from ‘roid rage. There was no need at all to shove Davids and if he hadn’t, his team would’ve had 15 players on the field for the entire match. How does it feel to be the probable cause for your team not qualifying for next season’s Champions Cup? Hmm Marius, how does it feel?
2 Go to commentsHow to watch it??
3 Go to commentsHaven’t heard of any of em
3 Go to commentsIt was high. But unfortunate. Difficult to tackle a guy who’s knee-high.
2 Go to commentsGo Ulster!
3 Go to commentsPhepsi Buthelezi must surely get a crack at Wales. Masuku too.
1 Go to commentsI don't want to say there's a curse but Aussie Props are dropping like Spinal Tap Drummers this year
1 Go to commentsCorrection; Wacokecoke signed for Doncaster the other day
3 Go to commentsThis kid will be an All Black sooner rather than later. His ability to extract the most from any situation is unbelievable. Come next season he could be no. 2 behind Roigard. Another damn Crusader lol, out of Hamilton.
3 Go to commentsMngomezulu looking good at 15. I maintain, Evan Roos is much more effective at 6 than an 8. JC Pretorius is a damn good 6 too.
1 Go to commentsThe smoke and mirrors begin.
3 Go to comments