Coach Tim Walsh is resting three of his top players, Charlotte Caslick, Alicia Quirk and Emma Tonegato, for the Canada Sevens to be held at Langford next weekend.
Caslick and Tonegato were the Player of the Final and the Player of the Tournament in Atlanta, respectively.
It is a bold step since world-class players Ellia Green and skipper Sharni Williams are still crocked and another good player, Evania Pelite, is injured from Atlanta—although experienced Nicole Beck returns to the squad.
But with six players out who are Rio-bound in my selection book, it gives Walsh a chance to look at some marginal players. After all, he has limited the turnover in the squad up to now - especially in the starting team for finals.
It will be interesting to see how some of the new players perform after the cream of the youngsters, 18-year-old Dom du Toit, had a promising debut in Atlanta last weekend.
Another 18-year-old, Shenae Ciesiolka, who showed great footwork against Ireland in friendlies at the Sydney Sevens, will get as shot as will 17 year-old forward Demi Hayes and utility Georgie Friedrich, 20.
It's interesting that the three new girls all come from Toowomba as does Sevens great Emilee Cherry; they must be doing something right up there.
With six of the twelve girls having only five games amongst them it won't be a train wreck if the Aussies don't win this one, and anyway, other teams are probably giving different players a run also.
So after the Canada leg I suspect the bookies will be more generous with the Aussie gold medal odds for Rio; currently the Pearls are paying a measly $1.72 and NZ $2.40. Canada looks good value at $8.00.
Australian squad for the Canada Sevens
1. Shannon Parry
2. Brooke Walker
3. Nicole Beck
4. Tiana Penitani
5. Dominique du Toit
6. Demi Hayes.
7. Georgina Friedrichs
8. Chloe Dalton
9. Amy Turner
10. Shenae Ciesiolka
11. Emilee Cherry
12. Mahalia Murphy
Travelling reserves: Laura Waldie, Shanice Parker.
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Caslick and Tonegato were the Player of the Final and the Player of the Tournament in Atlanta, respectively.
It is a bold step since world-class players Ellia Green and skipper Sharni Williams are still crocked and another good player, Evania Pelite, is injured from Atlanta—although experienced Nicole Beck returns to the squad.
But with six players out who are Rio-bound in my selection book, it gives Walsh a chance to look at some marginal players. After all, he has limited the turnover in the squad up to now - especially in the starting team for finals.
It will be interesting to see how some of the new players perform after the cream of the youngsters, 18-year-old Dom du Toit, had a promising debut in Atlanta last weekend.
Another 18-year-old, Shenae Ciesiolka, who showed great footwork against Ireland in friendlies at the Sydney Sevens, will get as shot as will 17 year-old forward Demi Hayes and utility Georgie Friedrich, 20.
It's interesting that the three new girls all come from Toowomba as does Sevens great Emilee Cherry; they must be doing something right up there.
With six of the twelve girls having only five games amongst them it won't be a train wreck if the Aussies don't win this one, and anyway, other teams are probably giving different players a run also.
So after the Canada leg I suspect the bookies will be more generous with the Aussie gold medal odds for Rio; currently the Pearls are paying a measly $1.72 and NZ $2.40. Canada looks good value at $8.00.
Australian squad for the Canada Sevens
1. Shannon Parry
2. Brooke Walker
3. Nicole Beck
4. Tiana Penitani
5. Dominique du Toit
6. Demi Hayes.
7. Georgina Friedrichs
8. Chloe Dalton
9. Amy Turner
10. Shenae Ciesiolka
11. Emilee Cherry
12. Mahalia Murphy
Travelling reserves: Laura Waldie, Shanice Parker.
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