The Australian Men’s Sevens team has secured three key signatures for their 2026-2027 campaign, with Olympians Maurice Longbottom and Josh Turner along with exciting rookie Will Cartwright re-committing to the program for the upcoming SVNS Series.
The 2025-2026 Series saw massive improvement by the Australian Men’s Sevens, the side making the podium in Dubai and Perth, with two fourth-placed finishes in Vancouver and New York seeing the side finish third in the men’s series.
Watch the 2026-2027 HSBC SVNS Series live and on demand via Stan Sport.
The side backed it up with gold in the Valladolid SVNS in the World Championship, a further indication of the blossoming confidence under head coach Liam Barry.
The program has now locked down three key names for the upcoming season, as both the men’s and women’s side look to secure qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Longbottom is Australia’s second most experienced player, returning for his tenth campaign and bringing over 250 matches of experience to the side. He is also one of the side’s most prolific point scorers, currently closing in on 1000 HSBC SVNS World Series points.
The veteran has been in strong demand since the conclusion of the World Championship, being named to take part in the Ultimate Sevens competition in Europe before returning for pre-season training in October.
Turner is also a key name to return to the side, having celebrated his 46th cap in the final leg of the 2025-2026 HSBC SVNS World Championship in Bordeaux earlier this year. His extension could enable him to reach the 50 cap milestone next season.
Lastly, Cartwright will form a major part of the future of the side, having also been linked with the Queensland Reds and playing for the side against Wales and in the inaugural season of Super Rugby AUS last year.
The 23-year-old capped off a big 2025 with a impressive start to his sevens career in Dubai that saw him score a double, before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in Perth that ruled him out for the rest of the series.
However, with the star firmly in the running for a possible callup to the 2028 Olympics side, his return to the field looks to be coming at the right time.
“It is pleasing to have experience back on board in Maurice and Josh, who have been with the Men’s program for almost a decade each,” said Director of High Performance Peter Horne.
“Will is on the comeback trail from injury and after making a good impression early in his journey we are looking forward to having him back on the field next season.
“The squad is building nicely ahead of qualifying for the LA Olympics next year.”
The Australian Men’s Sevens and Women’s Sevens sides will commence pre-season training in October, with the Dubai Sevens kicking off the 2026-2027 season on 28th November 2026.
