Henry Speight
Ed Jenkins will lead an experienced Australian Sevens team in the Oceania regional Olympic qualifying tournament in Auckland this coming weekend – 14 and 15 November.
Interim coach Tim Walsh named an extended 15-man squad that includes veterans Jesse Parahi and Con Foley.
Pama Fou, Greg Jeloudev and Henry Hutchinson offer pace out wide.
Wallaby Henry Speight, recently returned from 2015 Rugby World Cup duty, will also travel with the squad for the trip to New Zealand.
Tom Cusack has been rewarded for a series of powerful performances during the recent Central Coast Sevens with a spot in the squad and star centre Cameron Clark returns after a minor hamstring problem.
James Stannard, Lewis Holland, Allan Fa’asavalu and Tom Lucas assume playmaking duties.
“We have been preparing for this tournament for a number of months now and obviously Henry hasn’t spent any time with the squad as yet,” Walsh said on the inclusion of Henry Speight in the touring party.
“However, we felt this was an ideal opportunity for him to get used to some of our systems and familiarise himself with the playing group.
“Despite only arriving back from the World Cup last week, Henry was keen to travel which underlines the passion he has to be part of this squad.”
3 Players will be omitted from the final squad on Thursday.
Pat McCutcheon (hamstring) and Nick Malouf (knee) were not considered due to injury.
“We have prepared well, having played a very valuable series against New Zealand in Rotorua, followed by a solid performance at the Central Coast Sevens,” Walsh said.
“Training standards have been high and every squad member continues to challenge one another which has culminated in a stronger team.
“We have a belief that we will perform and gain us the desired result. However, with a spot at the Rio Olympics on the line in Auckland, we are under no illusion that now is the time to deliver.
“For us, it is all process and executing under pressure as there are 7 other teams looking to fulfil their own Olympic dream.
“The Pacific Island nations are known for their passion for Rugby and in particular Sevens so we can expect a lot of physicality.
“I’ve heard many people say Samoa will be our main opponents for that coveted spot but I don’t buy into that at all – as per usual, we will be paying due respect to our pool and won’t be looking any further than Day 1.”
Australia will play Nauru, Cook Islands and Tonga on Day 1 at the Trusts Arena in Waitakere (Auckland).
Pool B, meanwhile, will feature Samoa, Papua New Guinea, American Samoa and the Soloman Islands.
All competing teams will progress to Finals Day and seeded according to their final pool placing – for example: 1st in Pool A will play 4th in Pool B, 2nd in Pool A will play 3rd in Pool B.
Only the winning team at the Oceania Olympic qualifier will secure a spot in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The runners-up and 3rd-placed side in the tournament will secure spots in the final Olympic qualification tournament (date to be confirmed).
Australian Squad: Cameron Clark, Tom Cusack, Allan Fa’asavalu, Con Foley, Pama Fou, Lewis Holland, Henry Hutchison, Greg Jeloudev, Ed Jenkins (Captain), Tom Lucas, Sam Myers, Jesse Parahi, Henry Speight, James Stannard, Michael Wells.