Edinburgh’s Magnus Bradbury one of Scotland 7s newcomers
Scotland 7s Head Coach Calum MacRae has named 3 new caps in his 12-man squad to compete in the opening leg of the 2015 / 2016 World Rugby HSBC Sevens Series, in Dubai (Friday 4 & Saturday 5 December).
The squad, which will travel to South Africa for the 2nd leg of the Series following proceedings in Dubai, will include Edinburgh’s Magnus Bradbury; his capital club-mate Nick McLennan; and Scotland Under 20 wing Robbie Nairn.
MacRae said: “The extended Sevens off season, due to the Rugby World Cup, has afforded us time to develop aspects of our play and make gains in our strength and conditioning. The players application has been excellent throughout.
“The mindset has been to improve and build on last years performances, not rest on them. In addition to the core squad members, we have also targeted developing young, Scottish talent who have a lot of potential and a big future ahead in both the abbreviated game and in the 15-a-side set-up.
“The exposure they will have to the international stage, will hopefully provide the platform they need to continue their development and progression in the game, as it has with so many players previously.”
Scott Wight will skipper the squad and will be flanked by the experience of Mark Robertson, Scott Riddell and Josea Nayacavou.
Glasgow Warriors’ Lee Jones, who competed in last year’s Commonwealth Games, comes into the group alongside his west-coast club-mate Hugh Blake.
James Johnstone, Jamie Farndale and Gavin Lowe – all who form part of the core group of Scotland Sevens players – take up the remaining berths.
Scotland Sevens achieved their highest ever finish of 7th in last season’s Series, and finished 6th overall in the in Dubai leg, after reaching the 2nd-tier Plate final.
In pool proceedings in Dubai Scotland will face last year’s tournament winners South Africa, Pacific islanders Samoa, and Russia, who have gained core-team status for this season’s Series.
“This is going to be a very challenging and physical pool, against 3 quality teams, but 1 we believe we have the ability to progress from with accurate performances,” MacRae continued.
“Russia will be on a high after their qualification to the Series full-time and Samoa will bring a fresh dimension under new coach Damian McGrath. South Africa, as always, have real fire-power across their side and will be bolstered by Neil Powell’s recruitment of full internationals. We understand what it’s going to take to compete with these sides.
“The level of competition in training has been raised with the new faces coming in. We’ve shown we can compete with the best teams in the Series when we nail our basics, back ourselves and play with total commitment.”
Scotland 7s squad to compete in the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Series, in Dubai on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 December:
Hugh Blake (Glasgow Warriors), Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh), Jamie Farndale, James Johnstone, Lee Jones (Glasgow Warriors), Gavin Lowe, Nick McLennan (Edinburgh), Robbie Nairn (Harlequins), Joseva Nayacavou, Scott Riddell, Mark Robertson, Scott Wight (Captain).
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Canada’s squad for Dubai and Cape Town:
Admir Cejvanovic – (Burnaby Lake RFC/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC Justin Douglas – (Abbotsford RFC) Abbotsford, BC Sean Duke – (Unattached/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC Mike Fuailefau – (Castaway Wanderers/BC Bears) Victoria, BC Nathan Hirayama – (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC Harry Jones – (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) North Vancouver, BC Pat Kay – (Unattached/BC Bears) Duncan, BC Phil Mack – (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC John Moonlight – Captain (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON Conor Trainor – (UBCOB Ravens/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC Sean White – (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC Adam Zaruba – (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC.
New Zealand’s squad for Dubai and Cape Town:
Dylan Collier (Waikato) Scott Curry (Capt) (Bay of Plenty) Sam Dickson (Canterbury) DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau) Tim Mikkelson (Waikato) Declan O’Donnell (Waikato) Lewis Ormond (Taranaki) Augustine Pulu (Counties Manukau) Teddy Stanaway (Bay of Plenty) Sherwin Stowers (Counties Manukau) Isaac Te Tamaki (Waikato) Beaudein Waaka (Taranaki) Regan Ware (Waikato) Joe Webber (Waikato).
Argentina’s squad for Dubai:Santiago Alvarez, Renzo Barbier, Sebastian Cancelliere, Rodrigo Etchart, Bautista Ezcurra, Fernando Luna, Axel Muller, Santiago Resino, Gaston Revol, Joaquin Riera, Franco Sabato, German Schulz.
Australia Women’s 7s squad for Dubai:
Shannon Parry. Place of Birth: Brisbane, QLD Sharni Williams. Place of Birth: Batlow, NSW. Hometown: Canberra, ACT Nicole Beck. Place of Birth: Bulli, NSW Gemma Etheridge. Place of Birth: Tamworth, NSW. Hometown: Toowoomba, QLD Emma Tonegato. Place of Birth: Wollongong, NSW Evania Pelite. Place of Birth: Brisbane, QLD Charlotte Caslick. Place of Birth: Brisbane, QLD Chloe Dalton. Place of Birth: Singapore. Hometown: Mona Vale, NSW Amy Turner. Place of Birth: Tokoroa, NZ Alicia Quirk. Place of Birth: Wagga Wagga, NSW Emilee Cherry. Place of Birth: Roma, QLD. Hometown: Toowoomba, QLD Ellia Green. Place of Birth: Suva, Fiji. Hometown: Melbourne, VIC.
New Zealand Women’s 7s squad for Dubai:
Ruby Tui – Canterbury Hazel Tubic – Counties Manukau Jordon Webber – Waikato Sarah Goss (Captain) – Manawatu Gayle Broughton – Taranaki Tyla Nathan-Wong – Auckland Kelly Brazier – Bay of Plenty Katarina Whata-Simpkins – Wellington Portia Woodman – Auckland Niall Williams – Auckland Michaela Blyde – Taranaki Shiray Tane – Waikato .
Keep an eye out for Robbie Nairn 18 year old 6ft3 101kg winger who played for Scotland u20s in this year’s junior world cup. He has joined Harlequins academy saw him playing 7s for Quins a few months back. He was good at times and not so good at other times seem to remember some difficulty with defence but could be wrong but considering he only turns 19 in February and was playing with the seniors then understandable hopefully he has continued his development well in the meantime.
Magnus Bradbury is 20 year old loose forward who I thought was very impressive for Scotland U20s this year. Not seen him in 7s but hoping he will do well big strong player. Glad he is getting a chance with the 7s for now as he is in a queue behind some very good number 8s in Cornell du Preez and Nasi Manu at Edinburgh
Hugh Blake is the pick of the newbies for me. Flanker who has played centre for Glasgow Warriors this season when they were short during the World Cup. Fast skilful good passing player who looked good for Glasgow winning the Melrose 7s earlier this year. He came over from New Zealand about a year or so ago (grandparents moved from Scotland to NZ long ago) and got one game in the 6 Nations for Scotland. Think he is the kind of player who would shine in Super Rugby. He played for NZ U20s in SA in 2012.
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