Gritty half back James Stannard is the latest of nine Australian
Sevens stars to earn a Super Rugby contract for 2011 after signing
on for a second stint with the Western Force last week.
Stannard joins the ever-growing list of 2009/2010 Sevens
representatives who, after achieving Australia's best finish on
the international circuit in almost a decade, have earned a prized
call-up to represent their states in the expanded 15-team Super
tournament from next year.
The Australian Sevens finished third behind victors Samoa and
runners-up New Zealand in an outstanding season on the IRB Sevens
World Series, including a Cup victory in the London Sevens at
Twickenham, the team's first tournament victory since 2002.
Who will win Sevens Commonwealth Gold? >>
"I don't find it surprising at all that a bunch of
the younger boys are going to make the step up to Super Rugby next
year," said Stannard.
"They've been on the radar of the Academies for
quite a while and I guess good performances in Sevens this year and
also in the 20s have helped push that along."
Sevens fans do, however, have one more chance to see the
class of 2009/10 play together when they compete for Australia at
the Commonwealth Games on 11-12 October.
As well as featuring the best of the talent from the eight
events on the most recent World Series, Michael O'Connor's
Commonwealth Games squad also looks set to boast the likes of
Qantas Wallabies winger Lachlan Turner and 2008/09 Sevens star and
Reds full back Luke Morahan.
O'Connor will unveil his Games squad after a second
intensive training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in
mid-August.
Sevens stars sign on
Stannard's signing for the Force is the most recent of
nine Sevens graduations for Australia.
The Queensland Reds have snapped up a raft of exciting Sevens
talent including flanker Liam Gill, full back Dominic Shipperley,
back-rower Ed Quirk and centre Kimami Sitauti.
All four also recently returned from the IRB Junior World
Championship where the Australian Under 20 side finished runners-up
to arch-rivals New Zealand.
Sevens captain Pat McCutcheon earned his NSW Waratahs stripes
at the back end of the 2010 Super 14 competition and will be an
asset to the sky blue pack in 2011, while electric wing Brackin
Karauria-Henry has also signed on with the Moore Park-based
franchise for next season.
Centre Ed Stubbs is another to graduate from the Sevens
ranks, signing with the Brumbies squad for the next two years,
while Nick Phipps will become a foundation member of the Melbourne
Rebels after committing to a one-year deal.
Phipps, a member of the extended training squad, says the
Australian Sevens are confident of their chances in Delhi at the
Commonwealth Games and should be considered genuine medal
contenders.
"We have our sights firmly set on that gold medal and
truly believe we are capable of getting there," Phipps told
Rugby.com.au.
"However we know it isn't going to be easy and
everybody is putting in the hard yards now to ensure that we are
ready and we are prepared for the challenges of the Commonwealth
Games.
"Sevens gives you an opportunity to play against some of
the best and most exciting players in the world. It's a
fantastic stepping stone but Sevens is its own competition now and
it's good to see players be so loyal to it and good to see it
get the recognition it deserves."
The Australian Sevens team will spend a week in Darwin in
preparation for the Commonwealth Games and will take on IRB Sevens
World Series reigning champions Samoa in a Federation of Oceania
Rugby Unions (FORU) tournament on 1-3 October, which will serve as
challenging warm-up event.
Video: Australia win London Sevens - Highlights!
Australian Rugby Sevens training squad: Bernard Foley, Liam
Gill, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Patrick McCutcheon, Luke Morahan,
Nicholas Phipps, Edward Quirk, Brian Sefanaia, Clinton Sills,
Kimami Sitauti, James Stannard, Jacob Taylor, Lachie Turner, Daniel
Yakapo
