Australia U20 enforcer set to be unleashed with sevens side in Dubai

Australia coaches Tim Walsh and Liam Barry have selected their squads for the HSBC SVNS Series season-opener in Dubai. Olympian Demi Hayes is set to return after a lengthy stint on the sidelines, while an Australian U20s enforcer headlines a group of four players in line to debut.

Hayes suffered a devastating knee injury at SVNS Cape Town last December. The 26-year-old missed the rest of the 2023/24 SVNS Series campaign and the Paris Olympic Games, but on Friday was named in the squad for Dubai after close to 12 months out of the game.

With injured stars Madison Ashby, Alysia Leafau-Fakosilea, Kaitlin Shave and Sidney Taylor all unavailable for the opening leg of the season, Hayes’ return is an important inclusion for the defending overall Series champions.

While there is still a mix of experience in this squad with the likes of Charlotte Caslick, the Levi sisters, Tia Hinds, Faith Nathan and other set to suit up in Aussie gold, coach Walsh has also turned to some younger players who are poised to make their mark.

Kahli Henwood and Kiiahla Duff have both been named to debut on the SVNS Series, with Duff coming into the side as a replacement for the injured Bienne Terita. As for Henwood, the Queenslander actually debuted for Team Australia at the Paris Olympics in July.

The Australians will be hurting a bit still after those Games, with one of the pre-tournament favourites to challenge for gold missing the podium completely. They were stunned by Canada in the semi-finals and then the USA in the battle for bronze.

Isabella Nasser, Heidi Dennis, Bridget Clark, Ruby Nicholas and Sariah Paki are the other members of Australia’s squad for Dubai. Clark, Nicholas and Dennis all debuted on the SVNS Series during seaon’s memorable campaign.

“We have had a rejuvenating pre-season balanced with elite standards and positive attitudes,” women’s coach Tim Walsh said in a statement.

“We have enjoyed the mental and technical challenges and are determined to start the World Series where we finished last season as champions.

“With a youthful in age squad, we are like fine wine and want to get better with age and strongly believe the best is yet to come.

“It is very pleasing to announce debutants Kahli Henwood and Kiiahla Duff who are poised to make their first appearances on the World Series.

“Both have spent years in their apprenticeship and fully deserve the right to represent this incredible team.”

New men’s coach Barry has included two debutants in that Australia squad, including Aden Ekanayake who lined up for the nation’s U20s 15s side earlier this year. The backrower made five appearances at blindside flanker at the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.

Sid Harvey has also been selected as the Aussie men’s side prepare to usher in a new era with their new coach. Following their best-ever finish at an Olympic Games, this squad has gone through a number of changes during the off-season.

Henry Hutchison, Hayden Sargeant, Matt Gonzalez, Ben Dowling, James Turner and Henry Paterson have all re-signed with the Australia sevens program, and those experienced players will no doubt play a key role in the team’s pursuit of Cup Final glory in Dubai.

Henry Palmer, James McGregor, Ben Dalton, Nathan Lawson and Michael Icely are the other members of this talented Australian side. Australia was knocked out in the Dubai quarters last season, but have since shown that they’re more than capable of challenging for silverware.

“Since Paris have had several changes with a number of experienced players and key staff from both men’s and women’s programs departing and I want to acknowledge how well the players have applied themselves during the adjustments in preparing for the start of the season,” National Performance Manager, Scott Bowen, explained.

“It is a new-look men’s squad with Liam coming on board and we’re excited to get back competing and watching the progression of the young talent coming through particularly with Aden and Sid set to make their debuts this weekend.

“The women’s team saw plenty of debutants last season and that has created strong depth for Tim to continue their great success on the world stage.”

The Dubai Sevens will be held at The Sevens Stadium from November 30 to December 1. Cape Town, Perth, Vancouver, Hong Kong China, Singapore and Los Angeles are the other events on the 2025 HSBC SVNS Series.

Australia Women’s Sevens team

3. Faith Nathan
4. Teagan Levi
5. Charlotte Caslick
6. Tia Hinds
7. Isabella Nasser
8. Demi Hayes
9. Heidi Dennis
10. Bridget Clark
11. Kahli Henwood*
12. Ruby Nicholas
13. Kiiahla Duff*
14. Sariah Paki

*Denotes debutant

Remaining 2024/25 squad members: Madison Ashby, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Kaitlin Shave, Amahli Hala, Sidney Taylor, Bienne Terita.

Australia Men’s Sevens team

1. Henry Hutchison
2. Ben Dowling
3. Henry Palmer
4. Henry Paterson
5. James McGregor
6. Matt Gonzalez
7. Ben Dalton
8. Nathan Lawson
9. James Turner
10. Sid Harvey*
11. Aden Ekanayake*
12. Hayden Sargeant
13. Michael Icely

*Denotes debutant

Remaining 2024/25 squad members: Maurice Longbottom, Hadley Tonga, Dietrich Roache, Dally Bird, Conor Hickey, Jayden Blake.

Dubai Sevens match schedule

POOL A - AUSTRALIA WOMEN

Saturday, November 30: Australia v China (4:44pm AEDT)

Saturday, November 30: Australia v Fiji (8:05pm AEDT)

Sunday, December 1: Australia v Ireland (12:35am AEDT)

POOL A - AUSTRALIA MEN

Saturday, November 30: Australia v South Africa (5:50pm AEDT)

Saturday, November 30: Australia v France (10:20pm AEDT)

Sunday, December 1: Australia v Kenya (3:44am AEDT)