Australia flanker Sam Latunipulu at the 2009 IRB Junior World Championship, and more recently he has impressed Australia Sevens coach Michael O'Connor

Australia Sevens coach Michael O'Connor has dealt with the disappointment of losing key paceman Clinton Sills by calling up the player who caused his Aussie Spirit side the biggest headache last weekend, Sam Latunipulu.

Latunipulu impressed O'Connor at the recent Kiama Sevens tournament, where his West Harbour side bagged the prized scalp of the Aussie Spirit and then went on to claim the tournament with a last-minute win over Eastern Surburbs in the final.

Latunipulu represented Australia at Under 20 level last year but in terms of Sevens rugby the coach has plucked him out of relative obscurity to join his newlook squad for the Adelaide and Hong Kong legs of the IRB Sevens World Series.

"Mick chased me down after we beat the Aussie Sevens in Kiama and asked me to come and join the Australian squad," Latunipulu said.

"He came and found me right before the final and I'm sure it made me play even better. We won the final after the buzzer with a late try.

"From what I've seen, the boys have been doing really well in the IRB Series and to get the chance to join them in time for the home tournament in Adelaide is really exciting. I'm so grateful for the opportunity."

Latunipulu, 20, is one of three injury-enforced changes to O'Connor's side, who recorded their best result in over two years when they won through to the USA Sevens Cup semi finals last month in Las Vegas.

Leading try-scorer Clinton Sills (ostio pubis), Brian Sefanaia (cruciate ligament) and Bernard Foley (foot) will miss out on the Adelaide event, on 19-21 March, and also the iconic Hong Kong Sevens, on 26-28 March.

Alongside Latunipulu, Ed Stubbs will make his World Series debut in Adelaide and Dominic Shipperley returns to the squad, having last competed in Wellington at the NZI Sevens in February.

Australia currently lie in fifth place in the Series behind leaders New Zealand, Samoa, Fijia and England and have already shown a marked improvement on last year.

Video: Australia's story at the 2009 Adelaide Sevens



Australian Squad for Adelaide and Hong Kong: Patrick McCutcheon (captain), Liam Gill, Eddie Quirk, Tala Gray, James Stannard, Sam Latunipulu, Robbie Coleman, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Ed Stubbs, Kimami Sitauti, Dominic Shipperley, Jacob Taylor.

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