Looking for an appetiser or five prior to the 2:10am (AEDT) Wallabies match against Ireland?
Well, here you go. Almost a degustation of entrees.
There are five rugby sevens games between 4:44pm and 12:35am prior to the Wallabies, all broadcast on Stan.
AUSTRALIA WOMEN SEVENS
Saturday, November 30
Australia v China (4:44pm AEDT)
Australia v Fiji (8:05pm AEDT)
Sunday, December 1
Australia v Ireland (12:35am AEDT)
AUSTRALIA MEN SEVENS
Saturday, November 30
Australia v South Africa (5:50pm AEDT)
Australia v France (10:20pm AEDT)
Sunday, December 1
Australia v Kenya (3:44am AEDT)
In last-minute Aussie Sevens news, Charlotte Caslick has passed on the captain mantel to Bella Nasser. It must be said Nasser has really developed into a vital cog of the team since she debuted in Dubai 2023.
The other possible option would have been Madison Ashby, who captained the team in Singapore, but she is out probably for the season with an ACL.
As for the men it appears Henry Hutchinson, at least for Dubai, has the skipper’s armband. There has been no formal announcement who has taken over from Nick Malouf but in reality new coach Liam Barry only met the team for the first time last Thursday.
The old injury stick has hit the sevens teams, again.
Sidney Taylor injured her knee recently in training. If it is an ACL, it will be the sixth for the year. Then in Dubai Bridget Clark has done her back and will miss the tournament. Tahs Next Gen player Piper Simons flew over to take her spot.
Clark is a big loss, as she has some size to her that the Aussies need. The women’s pool is interesting with both Fiji and Ireland but more than a few eyes will be on the first game against China. They qualified for the SVNS Series and developing a very good team.
As for the men, a big, big out – Dietrich Roache will miss the entire SVNS Series with a knee injury. Sure, it gives others an opportunity, as the cliché goes, but in reality, he is a big out. Not only is he experienced and still only 23 but he is a key kicker, conversions and restarts.
The other main kicker is Maurice Longbottom, who is also out injured. So some players will have to step up. The men like usual have a tough pool: South Africa, France and Kenya.
Dubai is going to be a fascinating watch to see where both teams are at and how other teams are post-Olympics.
Saturday night and Sunday morning, a selection of entrees leading up to the main meal and final Wallabies match of the season.
