New men’s Sevens coach Liam Barry has named explosive teenager Hadley Tonga for his debut on home soil for the Perth SVNS at HBF Park.
The 19-year-old is one of three changes for the men’s side, with the SVNS series set to return to Australia from January 24-26.
Watch every match of the Perth SVNS live and on-demand exclusively via Stan Sport.
Tonga has had a brutal run with injury since joining the program in 2013, impressing at the Kings School.
He is joined in the squad by Sevens icon Maurice Longbottom and Josh Turner as the side looks to improve on their eighth place standing after two rounds.
Longbottom missed the first two events with injury whilst Turner makes his return to the program after the departure of Nathan Lawson.
Henry Hutchison captains the side, named as co-captain of the squad by Barry alongside the injured Henry Paterson (ankle), set to return for next month’s Canada event.
"The team have prepared well and can’t wait to play their home tournament in front of family and fans in Perth,” Barry said in a statement.
"We are stoked to welcome back Josh Turner and Maurice Longbottom to the squad while Hadley Tonga is looking to debut in Perth and that’s exciting for everyone.
"Very few teams have a home tournament so the players know it comes with expectation and it’s a great opportunity for us."
As for Tim Walsh’s Women’s side, they are settled from their fourth place finish in Cape Town, with Demi Hayes the only addition.
She replaces Sariah Paki, who was ruled out after a calf issue in the build-up to the event.
The Australians will be hunting to go one better than 2024, with the Women’s Final set to close out the event for the first time in World Series history.
"Perth put on a show last year and we want to join the Aussie summer party and really express ourselves out on the field.
"Once a year we play international 7s on home soil and there is no better time to enjoy our rugby. Bella Nasser will lead the side again after a successful first outing in Dubai.
"We will continue to develop our young guns alongside our existing world class rugby players.
"We have five more global series tournaments finishing off in a champions final in Los Angeles and it is shaping up for a rewarding year for the 7s players."
1. Henry Hutchison (c)
2. Ben Dowling
9. Matt Gonzalez
10. Ben Dalton
11. Maurice Longbottom
13. Jayden Blake
14. James Turner
15. Sid Harvey
23. Aden Ekanayake
25. Hayden Sargeant
29. Josh Turner
71. Hadley Tonga*
87. Michael Icely
* denotes debut
1. Piper Simons
3. Faith Nathan
4. Mackenzie Davis
5. Teagan Levi
7. Charlotte Caslick
9. Tia Hinds
10. Isabella Nasser (c)
11. Demi Hayes
12. Maddison Levi
13. Heidi Dennis
15. Kahli Henwood
23. Ruby Nicholas
28. Kiiahla Duff
POOL A - AUSTRALIA MEN
- Friday, January 24: Australia v Argentina (2:01pm AWST; 5:01pm AEDT)
- Friday, January 24: Australia v South Africa (7:52pm AWST; 10:52pm AEDT)
- Saturday, January 25: Australia v USA (1:28pm AWST; 4:28pm AEDT)
POOL C - AUSTRALIA WOMEN
- Friday, January 24: Australia v China (2:45pm AWST; 5:45pm AEDT)
- Friday, January 24: Australia v Spain (8:36pm AWST; 11:36pm AEDT)
- Saturday, January 25: Australia v France (4:09pm AWT; 7:09pm AEDT)
