Australia national rugby sevens team

The Australia national rugby sevens team participates in international competitions such as the World Rugby Sevens Series and Rugby World Cup Sevens. Australia also competes at other international tournaments for rugby sevens, including at the Commonwealth Games. The current captain of the team is Nick Malouf, and the head coach is John Manenti .

Australia
Shirt badge/Association crest
UnionRugby Australia
Head coachLiam Barry
CaptainNick Malouf
Top scorerJames Stannard (1,239)
Top try scorerLewis Holland (111)
First colours
Second colours
Rugby World Cup Sevens
Appearances8 (First in 1993)
Best resultRunners-up (1993, 2001)

Rugby sevens is an Olympic sport and made its debut at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Australia qualified for the tournament after winning the 2015 Oceania Sevens Championship.

Team name

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The Australia national sevens side does not have a nickname as of 2016.[1] The team is sometimes erroneously referred to as the Aussie Thunderbolts in sections of the media,[2][3] but that name refers to Australia's developmental sevens side (the second team) rather than the official national team.[1][4]

At the inaugural Hong Kong Sevens tournament in 1976, Australia was represented by a selected team under the name Wallaroos,[5] originally the name of one of the foundation clubs of the Southern Rugby Union in 1874,[6] but now used for the Australian women's team in 15-a-side rugby. Australia has also been represented at international sevens tournaments by the Australian Barbarians club.[7][8]

Honours

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Australia has won the following:

World Rugby Sevens Series

World Cup Sevens

Commonwealth Games Sevens

Rugby sevens at the World Games

 
Australia vs Spain at the 2013 World Cup 7s

Major tournament wins

Regional and other tournament wins

Tournament record

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A red box around the year indicates a tournament played in Australia. An asterisk (*) indicates a shared placing.

Rugby World Cup Sevens

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Rugby World Cup 7s
Year Round Position P W L D
  1993 Final   10 7 3 0
  1997 Quarterfinals  5 * 5 3 1 1
  2001 Final   8 7 1 0
  2005 Semifinals    * 7 5 2 0
  2009 Plate final 10 6 3 3 0
  2013 Quarterfinals  5 * 4 2 1 1
  2018 Challenge final 10 4 2 2 0
  2022 Bronze Final 4 4 2 2 0
2026 to be determined
Total 0 Titles 8/8 48 31 15 2

World Games

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World Games Rugby 7sa
Year Round Position P W L D
  2001 Final   6 5 1 0
  2005 did not participate
  2009
  2013
Total 0 Titles 1/4 6 5 1 0

Olympic Games

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Olympic Games Rugby 7s
Year Round Position P W L D
  2016 Quarter-finals 8 6 2 4 0
  2020 Quarter-finals 7 6 2 4 0
  2024 Bronze-medal match 4 6 4 2 0
Total 0 Titles 3/3 18 8 10 0

Commonwealth Games

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Commonwealth Games 7s
Year Round Position P W L D
  1998 Third playoff   5 4 1 0
  2002 Quarterfinals  5 * 4 3 1 0
  2006 Third playoff 4 6 3 3 0
  2010 Final   6 4 2 0
  2014 Third playoff   6 5 1 0
  2018 Fifth playoff 5 5 4 1 0
  2022 Third playoff 4 6 3 3 0
Total 0 Titles 6/6 38 26 12 0

Oceania Sevens

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Oceania Rugby 7s
Year Round Position P W L D
  2008 did not participate
  2009
  2010 Final   6 6 0 0
  2011 Third playoff 4 7 4 3 0
  2012 Final   6 6 0 0
  2013 Third playoff   6 4 2 0
  2014 Third playoff 4 6 4 2 0
  2015 Final   6 6 0 0
  2016 Third playoff   6 4 2 0
  2017 Semifinals    * 4 3 1 0
  2018 Third playoff 4 5 3 2 0
  2019 Final   6 6 0 0
  2021 round-robin   5 1 4 0
 2022b round-robin   6 4 2 0
 2023b Seventh playoff 7 5 3 2 0
Total 4 Titles 12/14 69 51 18 0

Notes:

^a Rugby Sevens was discontinued at the World Games after 2013 due to the sport returning to the Olympics in 2016.

^b Australia VII or development team entered

World Rugby Sevens Series

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Logo 2008–2017
Key to tournament locations
Africa and Middle East
Asia
Americas
Europe
Oceania Australian event 

2000s

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Summary for Series I to X
World Sevens Series
I
99–00
II
00–01
III
01–02
IV
02–03
V
03–04
 
5th
Dubai
  rd*
Dubai
  no status** Dubai   rd*
Dubai
6th
Dubai
5th
Stellenbosch
  rd*
Durban
5th
Durban
  rd*
George
7th*
George
 
  rd*
Wellington
 st
Wellington
7th*
Wellington
  rd*
Wellington
10th
Wellington
  nd
Brisbane
cancelled Brisbane  st
Brisbane
5th
Brisbane
  rd*
Suva
 
5th
Punta del Este
7th*
Santiago
9th
Los Angeles
  rd*
Mar del Plata
 – 5th
Mar del Plata
 
  rd*
Hong Kong
  rd*
Hong Kong
5th*
Hong Kong
5th*
Hong Kong
5th*
Hong Kong
  rd*
Tokyo
  nd
Tokyo
  rd*
Singapore
cancelled §
Singapore
7th*
Singapore
 st
Shanghai
  rd*
Beijing
cancelled§
Beijing
 st
Kuala Lumpur
  rd*
Kuala Lumpur
 
  nd
London
5th
London
5th
London
7th*
London
  rd*
Paris
  nd
Cardiff
  rd*
Cardiff
6th
Cardiff
6th
Bordeaux
 
10/10
118 pts

 rd [9]

9/9
150 pts

 nd [10]

11/11
108 pts

5th [11]

7/7
66 pts

5th [12]

8/8
34 pts

8th [13]

 Notes:
* Shared placing (play-off matches for third were eventually introduced in 2012).
** Downgraded to non-series status in wake of September 11 attacks in 2001.
Mar del Plata hosted the Sevens World Cup instead of a leg in the 2001 series.
Tournament cancelled by IRB in response to government sanctions against Fiji.
§ Tournament cancelled due to concerns about the SARS outbreak in Asia in 2002.
IRB Sevens World Series
VI
04–05
VII
05–06
VIII
06–07
IX
07–08
X
08–09
 
7th*
Dubai
7th*
Dubai
7th*
Dubai
9th
Dubai
7th*
Dubai
9th
George
7th*
George
9th
George
11th*
George
10th
George
 
5th
Wellington
7th*
Wellington
11th*
Wellington
  rd*
Wellington
11th*
Wellington
5th
Adelaide
7th*
Adelaide
6th
Adelaide
 
  rd*
Los Angeles
7th*
Los Angeles
7th*
San Diego
12th
San Diego
9th
San Diego
 
 – 5th*
Hong Kong
5th*
Hong Kong
5th*
Hong Kong
5th*
Hong Kong
6th
Singapore
7th*
Singapore
 
6th
London
11th*
London
6th
London
9th
London
7th*
London
7th*
Paris
  rd*
Paris
11th*
Edinburgh
9th
Edinburgh
6th
Edinburgh
 
7/7
42 pts

7th [14]

8/8
40 pts

8th [15]

8/8
32 pts

7th [16]

8/8
30 pts

8th [17]

8/8
30 pts

8th [18]

 Notes:
* Shared placing (play-off matches for third were eventually introduced in 2012).
Hong Kong hosted the Sevens World Cup instead of a leg in the 2005 series.




2010s

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Summary for Series XI to XX
World Sevens Series
XI
09–10
XII
10–11
XIII
11–12
XIV
12–13
XV
13–14
 
5th
Dubai
6th
Dubai
5th
Dubai
15th*
Dubai
9th
Dubai
7th*
George
7th*
George
7th*
Port Elizabeth
9th
Port Elizabeth
10th
Port Elizabeth
 
5th
Wellington
  rd*
Wellington
10th
Wellington
5th
Wellington
5th
Wellington
  rd*
Adelaide
7th*
Adelaide
4th
Gold Coast
7th*
Gold Coast
  nd
Gold Coast
 
  rd*
Las Vegas
7th*
Las Vegas
10th
Las Vegas
13th
Las Vegas
6th
Las Vegas
cancelled
Mar Del Plata
 
5th
Hong Kong
6th
Hong Kong
7th*
Hong Kong
7th*
Hong Kong
4th
Hong Kong
 st
Tokyo
7th*
Tokyo
5th
Tokyo
 
 st
London
6th
London
5th
London
  nd
London
  nd
London
  nd
Edinburgh
  nd
Edinburgh
5th
Glasgow
9th
Glasgow
7th*
Glasgow
 
8/8
122 pts

 rd [19]

8/8
80 pts

5th [20]

9/9
110 pts

6th [21]

9/9
89 pts

8th [22]

9/9
116 pts

5th [23]

 Notes:
* Shared placing (play-off matches for third were introduced in 2012).
Event cancelled due to demands on UAR joining The Rugby Championship.
World Rugby Sevens Series
XVI
14–15
XVII
15–16
XVIII
16–17
XIX
17–18
XX
18–19
 
  nd
Dubai
6th
Dubai
5th
Dubai
5th
Dubai
4th
Dubai
  rd
Port Elizabeth
7th*
Cape Town
11th*
Cape Town
9th
Cape Town
7th*
Cape Town
 
6th
Wellington
5th
Wellington
10th
Wellington
  rd
Hamilton
7th*
Hamilton
7th*
Gold Coast
  nd
Sydney
4th
Sydney
 st
Sydney
6th
Sydney
5th
Las Vegas
  nd
Las Vegas
6th
Las Vegas
6th
Las Vegas
7th*
Las Vegas
  rd
Vancouver
7th*
Vancouver
6th
Vancouver
9th
Vancouver
 
5th
Hong Kong
4th
Hong Kong
  rd
Hong Kong
11th*
Hong Kong
11th*
Hong Kong
9th
Tokyo
7th*
Singapore
4th
Singapore
  nd
Singapore
7th*
Singapore
 
  nd
London
10th
London
6th
London
7th*
London
  nd
London
7th*
Glasgow
6th
Paris
10th
Paris
11th*
Paris
11th*
Paris
 
 
9/9
120 pts

5th [24]

10/10
134 pts

4th [25]

10/10
113 pts

6th [26]

10/10
123 pts

4th [27]

10/10
104 pts

7th

Notes:
  • * Shared placing (play-off matches for third were only introduced in 2012).

2020s

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World Rugby Sevens Series
XXI
2019–20
[a]
XXII
2021
[b]
XXIII
2021–22
XXIV
2022–23
XXV
2023–24

  • cancelled
  • Dubai

  • cancelled
  • Cape Town


  • cancelled
  • Cape Town


  • cancelled
  • Hamilton

  • cancelled
  • Sydney
  • cancelled
  • Hamilton

  • cancelled
  • Sydney
  •  




  • cancelled
  • Los Angeles


  •  

  •  
  • cancelled
  • Hong Kong

  • cancelled
  • Singapore
  • cancelled
  • Hong Kong

  • cancelled
  • Singapore
  • cancelled
  • Hong Kong



  •  

  •  
  • cancelled
  • Paris

  • cancelled
  • London
  • cancelled
  • Paris

  • cancelled
  • London




  •  

  •  
  • 6/6
  • 81 pts
  • 4th
  • 0/2
  •  
  • 9/9
  • 126 pts
  •  st
  • 8/8
  • 99 pts
  • 6th
Notes

Players

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Current squad

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The following players have been selected to represent Australia during the 2023–24 SVNS tournament beginning in December 2023.

Note: Caps reflect the total number of SVNS events competed in as of the 2023 Dubai Sevens.

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Tim Clements Forward (1997-04-08) 8 April 1997 (age 27) 14 Sydney University
Nathan Lawson Forward (1999-01-23) 23 January 1999 (age 25) 18 Southern Districts
Nick Malouf (c) Forward (1993-03-19) 19 March 1993 (age 31) 54 University of Queensland
Josh Turner Forward (1995-09-23) 23 September 1995 (age 29) 27 Manly
Dally Bird Back (2002-07-20) 20 July 2002 (age 22) 10 Eastwood
Ben Dowling Back (2000-03-05) 5 March 2000 (age 24) 7 Randwick
Matt Gonzalez Back (1994-06-01) 1 June 1994 (age 30) 68 Eastwood
Maurice Longbottom Back (1995-01-30) 30 January 1995 (age 29) 39 Randwick
Dietrich Roache Back (2001-07-06) 6 July 2001 (age 23) 21 Western Sydney Two Blues
Hayden Sargeant Back (1998-03-11) 11 March 1998 (age 26) 7 Bond University
James Turner Back (1998-08-29) 29 August 1998 (age 26) 8 Norths Rugby

Records and statistics

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Player records

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The following shows leading career Australia players based on statistics from the World Rugby Sevens Series. Players in bold are still active.

Award winners

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The following Australia Sevens players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2004:[30]

Olympic squads

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Captains

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Name Year Ref
Ed Jenkins 2011–2016 [31]
Sam Myers 2016 [32]
Lewis Holland 2018–2019
James Stannard 2018
Con Foley 2018 [33]
Jesse Parahi 2018 [34]

Coaches

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Name Tenure Ref
Bill Millard 2002–2005 [35]
Glen Ella 2005–2007 [36]
Bill Millard 2007–08 (interim) [35]
Michael O'Connor 2008–2014 [37][38]
Geraint John 2014–15 [38][39]
Tim Walsh 2015 (interim) [39]
Scott Bowen 2015–16 (interim) [40]
Andy Friend 2016–2018 [41]
Jarred Hodges 2018 (interim) [33]
Tim Walsh 2018–2021 [42]
John Manenti 2022–present [43]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Matt Rowley (10 May 2016). "Podcast 209: 7s Masterclass with Andy Friend". Green and Gold Rugby (Podcast). Event occurs at 18:38 to 19:26. Archived from the original on 16 May 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  2. ^ "Aussie men in rugby seven's heaven". Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  3. ^ Spiro Zavos (6 February 2012). "How the Australian Sevens side can live up to its 'Aussie Thunderbolts' nickname". The Roar.
  4. ^ "Aussie Thunderbolts Win Plate Final in Fiji". Australian Rugby. 21 January 2013. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  5. ^ "Thomas in the Wallaroos". The Canberra Times. 11 March 1976. p. 24. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  6. ^ "Football Conference". The Sydney Mail. 27 June 1874. p.182 col.1–2. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  7. ^ "Youngsters may get Hong Kong chance". The Canberra Times. 11 March 1994. p. 28. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  8. ^ Growden, Greg (25 February 1995). "Mix-up in dates presents a poser for Ella". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  9. ^ "2000 IRB Sevens Standings". Rugby7.
  10. ^ "2001 IRB Sevens Standings". Rugby7. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  11. ^ "2002 IRB Sevens Standings". Rugby7. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  12. ^ "2003 IRB Sevens Standings". Rugby7. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  13. ^ "2004 IRB Sevens Standings". Rugby7.
  14. ^ "2005 IRB Sevens Standings". Rugby7.
  15. ^ "2006 IRB Sevens Standings". Rugby7.
  16. ^ "2007 IRB Sevens Standings". Rugby7.
  17. ^ "2008 IRB Sevens Standings". Rugby7.
  18. ^ "2009 IRB Sevens Standings". Rugby7.
  19. ^ "2010 IRB Sevens Standings". Rugby7. Archived from the original on 10 April 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  20. ^ "2011 IRB Sevens Standings". Rugby7. Archived from the original on 10 April 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  21. ^ "2012 IRB Sevens Standings". Rugby7. Archived from the original on 10 April 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  22. ^ "2013 IRB Sevens Standings". Rugby7.
  23. ^ "2014 IRB Sevens Standings". Rugby7.
  24. ^ "2015 IRB Sevens Standings". Rugby7.
  25. ^ "2016 IRB Sevens Standings". Rugby7.
  26. ^ "World Series Standings". World Rugby. 2017. Archived from the original on 21 May 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  27. ^ "World Series Standings". World Rugby. 2018. Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  28. ^ Davidson, Neil (10 September 2021). "Field for Canadian rugby sevens events diluted by pandemic-related issues". Lethbridge News Now. Archived from the original on 10 September 2021.
  29. ^ World Rugby website, current as of 15 March 2023
  30. ^ "Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  31. ^ "Ed Jenkins relinquishes Australia men's sevens captaincy". The Sydney Morning Herald. 26 October 2015. Archived from the original on 26 November 2016.
  32. ^ "Men's Sevens: All in the family for Caslicks". Australian Rugby. 25 November 2016. Archived from the original on 26 November 2016.
  33. ^ a b "Australia to field youthful men's lineup at 2018 Hong Kong Sevens". News.com.au. 6 April 2018. Archived from the original on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  34. ^ "Parahi wants to do sidelined skippers proud". rugby.com.au. 4 April 2018. Archived from the original on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  35. ^ a b "Australia 7s trial squad named". ESPN. 31 October 2007. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022.
  36. ^ "Glen Ella appointed Australian sevens coach". ESPN. 1 March 2005. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022.
  37. ^ "O'Connor takes charge of Australia 7s". ESPN. 3 September 2008. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022.
  38. ^ a b "ARU appoints Geraint John as new Qantas Men's Sevens Head Coach". Australian Rugby. 27 May 2014. Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  39. ^ a b Browning, Jennifer (7 September 2015). "Australia's men's rugby sevens coach confident of qualifying for Rio Olympics despite upheaval". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 8 September 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
  40. ^ Men's Sevens finish seventh in Cape Town
  41. ^ "Andy Friend appointed Qantas Australian Men's Sevens coach". ARU. 5 January 2016. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  42. ^ "Aussie women lose coach to men". The Daily Examiner. Grafton. 19 March 2018. Archived from the original on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  43. ^ "Australia's rugby sevens coaches swap jobs; director leaves". AP News. 10 December 2021. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022.
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