A set of Australia’s fastest players return to their former women’s captain for their long-awaited Perth Sevens debuts.

After a few false starts, Hadley Tonga, the fastest player in Australian rugby, is set to take off after being named in Liam Barry’s squad as one of several changes for next week’s Perth Sevens.

The 19-year-old came close to making his debut in Australia’s last two World Series games but missed the Paris Olympics due to a leg injury.

Capable of running at 10.4 meters per second, the pocket rocket grew up idolizing Jonah Lomu but quickly began emulating Springboks wingers Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse and will bring a new dimension to the Australian Sevens team. .

“Cheslin Kolbe is a short player like me. He is strong, healthy and fast. They have similar characteristics to what I have,” Tonga said. roar last year.

The 19-year-old is the latest young gun to graduate from the King’s School after growing up and watching Parramatta Eels star Will Penisini play international Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at the school.

“There were actually two people I looked up to when I was in school: Will Penicini, mainly because of the way he led people and because he was a mentally healthy person, and Joseph Suaali because of his skills and his similar position to me.” Tonga said. , in his 11th year running a time of 10.84 seconds over 100m in wet conditions.

Hadley Tonga is set to make his long-awaited Australian debut for the Perth Sevens. Photo: Nooroa Takairangi, Rugby Australia

Former coach John Manenti was desperate to see Tonga take the field, but only got to witness his breathtaking pace on the training pitch.

“Pace is very important in our game, he knows it very well,” Manenti said. roar last year.

His inclusion was one of three changes Barry made following the Cape Town event in which the new-look Australian team struggled, with veteran Maurice Longbottom returning from injury to further strengthen the team.

Longbottom, who had a quieter-than-expected Olympic campaign, has not played since the Paris Olympics but made a timely return as Australia remained in eighth place after two rounds, just above the relegation zone.

Olympic reserve Josh Turner also returned, signing a deal to return to the squad following former captain Nathan Lawson’s departure for NRL side Dragons.

However, newly announced Australian co-captain Henry Patterson will be ruled out after suffering an ankle injury in Cape Town, with Henry Palmer and James McGregor sitting out.

“The team has prepared well and we are very much looking forward to playing a home tournament in front of our family and fans in Perth,” Barry said.

“We are delighted to welcome Josh Turner and Maurice Longbottom back to the squad. Hadley Tonga is looking forward to making his debut in Perth, which is exciting for everyone.

“Very few teams play home tournaments, so the players know it comes with expectations and it’s a great opportunity for us.”

Liam Barry addresses the new-look Australian men’s sevens team. Photo: Nooroa Takairangi, Rugby Australia

Home fans will get their first chance to see talented playmaker Sid Harvey on his debut in Dubai.

He is not the only player included in the squad, with rising forward Aden Ekanayake also making his debut in recent months.

Tim Walsh’s women, who struggled in Cape Town after a first win in the desert, will be hoping to go one better than last year in Perth after being underwhelmed by Ireland.

Walsh named a stable team with Demi Hayes being the only change.

Demi Hayes has returned to Australia after missing the Cape Town Sevens on her World Series tour. (Photo by Christopher Pike/Getty Images)

The former skipper returns in place of Sariah Fakhi (calf).

“Perth had a show last year and we want to be part of the Australian summer party and express ourselves on the scene,” said Walsh.

“Once a year we play an international sevens at our home stadium, and there’s no better time to enjoy some rugby. Bella Nasser will lead the team again after a successful first outing in Dubai.

“We will continue to develop our young guns alongside our existing world-class rugby players.

“We have five more Global Series tournaments culminating in the Champions Finals in Los Angeles and it will be a rewarding year for our 7s players.”

The Australian men’s team will be placed in Group A along with Argentina, South Africa and the United States, while the Australian women’s team will be in Group C and play regular round matches against China, France and Spain.

HSBC SVNS Perth 2024/2025 Australian Men’s Team:

1. Henry Hutchison (c)
2. Ben Dowling
3. mat gonzales
4. ben dalton
5. Maurice Longbottom
6. Jayden Blake
7. james turner
8. Sid Harvey
9. Aden Ekanayake
10. Hayden Sargent
11. Josh Turner
12. Hadley Tonga*
13. michael isley

HSBC SVNS Perth 2024/2025 Australian Women’s Team:

1. piper simmons
2. Faith Nathan
3. Mackenzie Davis
4. Teagan Levy
5. Charlotte Kaslik
6. Tia Hines
7. Isabella Nasser (c)
8. Demi Haze
9. Madison Levy
10. Heidi Dennis
11. Carly Henwood
12. Ruby Nicholas
13. Kiahala Duff

Pool A – Australian Men
Friday January 24: Australia v Argentina (2:01 Aug, 5:01pm AEDT)
Friday January 24: Australia v South Africa (7:52 PM AWST, 10:52 PM AEDT)
Saturday January 25: Australia v USA (1.28pm Aug, 4.28pm AEDT)
Pool C – Australia Women
Friday January 24: Australia v China (2:45 PM AWST, 5:45 PM AEDT)
Friday January 24: Australia v Spain (8.36pm Aug, 11.36pm AEDT)
Saturday January 25: Australia v France (4:09 PM AWST, 7:09 PM AEDT)