Search

show me:

Trae Williams to earn first Aussie 7s cap

3 minute read

Former Australian sprinter Trae Williams will earn his first Aussie 7s cap in the opening round of the World Rugby Sevens Series.

Australian sprinter Trae Williams will earn his first men's rugby sevens cap in the opening round of the World Series in Dubai next weekend.

Williams, who switched from athletics to sevens in May, has a 100m personal best of 10.10 seconds, ranking him fifth on the Australian all-time list.

The 22-year-old Williams has earned the call-up after impressing in pre-season.

"He's earned it. He's made a really good transition, a lot quicker than we actually anticipated," head coach Tim Walsh said.

"He's got a point of difference that is pretty remarkable and we want to be able to unleash that."

Williams says his transition to the sport was tough going at times - he got "a bit of a bashing" at the start - but is looking forward to be out on the field playing with a team again.

"It's all come really quick. I didn't really expect to be out there on the first tournament with the boys," he told reporters.

"Obviously it was a pretty big decision, switching up in to the sevens, but I had that passion for rugby since I was little, so when the opportunity came across it was hard to say no.

"Growing up playing, being in that team environment, being able to play with the boys, I think it's just a completely different atmosphere to athletics."

Manly's Josh Turner will also make his full international debut in Dubai, with Australia playing group matches against Scotland, Ireland and the United States on December 6 and 7.

Nick Malouf takes over the captaincy from the injured Lewis Holland with Jesse Parahi also returning to the main squad.

Australian squad: Nick Malouf (capt), Joe Pincus, Lachlan Anderson, Simon Kennewell, Jeral Skelton, Jesse Parahi, Maurice Longbottom, Josh Turner, Josh Coward, Lachlan Miller, Rod Davies, Trae Williams, Henry Hutchison

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au