This will be the first time women will compete for rugby sevens gold at the Commonwealth Games after the initial introduction of Rugby Sevens in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.
Australia’s men’s sevens team won Bronze four years ago at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and claimed silver at Delhi in 2010.
The Australian Women’s Sevens team will compete for Gold at Robina Stadium as they look to add Commonwealth Games honours to Olympic Gold and Sevens World Series success.
Eight members of the women’s Olympic gold medal-winning side have been selected for the Commonwealth Games team with Shannon Parry and Sharni Williams to share the leadership duties.
Nine members of the men’s sevens side will be making their Commonwealth Games debut with veterans Tom Lucas, Sam Myers, Jesse Parahi and James Stannard having tasted success in Glasgow.
Commonwealth Games Australia Chef de Mission Steve Moneghetti congratulated the team. “We welcome the selection of the Men’s and Women’s Rugby Sevens team, which are our second last teams to be selected for the Gold Coast.
“The Australian men went close in Glasgow and we hope this team can perform as well, or better, on the Gold Coast while the Women have been so exciting to watch since their Gold medal efforts in Rio,” Moneghetti said.
Australian Men’s Sevens coach Andy Friend said the team are focussed on the Commonwealth Games.
“We targeted three major tournaments at the start of the season and the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast was one of those.
“We have been in some good form this season so far but I know we still have room to grow with just under a month left before the Games.
“In this squad I think we have an extremely talented group of players with the right mix of youth and experience so I’m looking forward to seeing this team perform to the best of their potential on the Gold Coast,” Friend said.
Australian Women’s Sevens coach Tim Walsh reiterated the strength of this Commonwealth Games Team.
“We’re a really process driven team so we know that we’ve prepared well and we’re ready to walk off the field after the last game without any regret.
“It’s always a privilege to play at home and something that we really enjoy but in reality, it’s the same size rugby field against the same number of players. The real difference is after the full-time whistle,” Walsh said.
Australian Men have been drawn in Pool B alongside Samoa, England and Jamaica while the Australian Women have been drawn in Pool B with Fiji, Wales and England.
Australian Men’s Sevens squad for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games (in alphabetical order):
Lachlan Anderson*, Eastwood NSW
Timothy Anstee*, Eastwood NSW
Thomas Connor*, Warringah NSW
Lewis Holland (c)*, Queanbeyan
Boyd Killingworth*, Warringah NSW
Maurice Longbottom*, Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team
Thomas Lucas, Sunnybank QLD
Samuel Myers, Norths NSW
Benjamin O’Donnell*, Randwick NSW
Jesse Parahi, Norths NSW
John Porch*, Norths NSW
James Stannard, Souths QLD
Charlie Taylor*, Manly NSW
*Commonwealth Games debut
Australian Men’s Sevens fixtures on the Gold Coast on Saturday 14 April:
Australia v Samoa, Pool B
Australia v Jamaica, Pool B
Australia v England, Pool B
If Australia qualifies from the pool rounds, semi-finals and the Gold and Bronze medal matches will be played on Sunday 15 April.
Australian Women’s Sevens squad for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games (in alphabetical order):
Charlotte Caslick*, QLD and Bond University
Emilee Cherry*, QLD and University of Queensland
Dominique Du Toit*, QLD and Macquarie University
Georgina Friedrichs*, QLD and University of Tasmania
Ellia Green*, VIC and University of Tasmania
Demi Hayes*, QLD and Griffith University
Shannon Parry (c)*, QLD and Griffith University
Evania Pelite*, QLD and University of Adelaide
Alicia Quirk*, NSW and University of New England
Cassandra Staples*, NSW and University of Canberra
Emma Sykes*, QLD and University of Queensland
Emma Tonegato*, NSW and University of Adelaide
Sharni Williams (c)*, ACT and University of Canberra
*Commonwealth Games debut
Australian Women’s Sevens fixtures on the Gold Coast on Friday 13 April and Saturday 14 April:
Australia v Wales, Pool B
Australia v England, Pool B
Australia v Fiji, Pool B
If Australia qualifies from the pool rounds, semi-finals and the Gold and Bronze medal matches will be played on Sunday 15 April.