Sydney University Football Club members Greg Jeloudev and Ed Jenkins have been named in the 14-man Australian Sevens squad to contest the fourth leg of the 2014-15 Sevens World Series, which begins in Wellington, New Zealand, on Friday, February 6.
Jenkins is Australia’s most-capped Sevens player having represented the country every year since making his debut in February, 2008, while Jeloudev is returning from an ankle injury he sustained prior to the third leg of the series in South Africa.
Australian Men’s Sevens head coach Geraint John said selectors decided to take 14 players to Wellington to give the team some flexibility.
“We’re fortunate being so close to New Zealand that we are able to do this,” he said. “We set ourselves some lofty standards after our performances in Dubai (the second leg) and then in Port Elizabeth and it’s up to all of us to make sure we continue to raise the bar for ourselves. We have a tough Pool, there’s no doubt about that.
“Fiji will be gunning for us after we managed to beat them in Dubai and South Africa. However, their squad looks very, very strong for Wellington and on their day they can blow any team anyway.”
Australia has two tough pool games – against Wales and Portugal – prior to meeting Fiji. They sit fourth in the series after three legs, with the. Wellington Sevens to be immediately followed by the final leg in Las Vegas.
Along with hosts Brazil, only the top four countries in this season’s World Series automatically qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games at Rio de Janeiro.
