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Michael Hooper’s long-awaited sevens debut has been confirmed with the former Wallabies captain to play at the upcoming Hong Kong leg of the world series.
The four-time John Eales Medallist with 125 caps for Australia will play on April 5-7 with his first match against sevens titans Fiji.
Hooper joined the Australian men’s sevens team in November last year but his debut was delayed after suffering an Achilles injury.
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Hooper’s inclusion is one of two changes to the side heading to Hong Kong with Maurice Longbottom returning from a calf strain.
It’s the first major milestone for Hooper and his quest to be part of the team to the Olympics in Paris later this year.
“We’re really excited about heading back to Hong Kong, where we have had some recent success,” said head coach John Manenti.
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“Our performances in LA were some of our best this season and we have the opportunity be better again next week.
“We welcome back Maurice Longbottom, who will add some spark in the midfield and for the first time we’ll get to see Michael Hooper in an Australian sevens jersey.
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“Hoops has worked hard to make his way into the squad, and we’re all delighted to welcome the ‘rookie’ into the mix.
“Like any new player, it will be a learning experience for him and an important start point to a potential Paris Olympics.
“Every pool is tough and ours is no exception with Fiji first up and then LA winners France to kick off day one action. We’ll need to be at our best.”
The Australian men sit fifth on the ladder behind chart-toppers Argentina who lead Ireland, Fiji, and France.
Australia’s women lead the table after wins in Dubai and Cape Town before second place finishes in Perth and Los Angeles.
They hold a slender lead over New Zealand with only Hong Kong, Singapore, and Madrid to come.
The sevens world series is live, ad-free, and exclusively on Stan Sport.
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Australia Women’s sevens team for Hong Kong SVNS: 2. Sharni Smale 3. Faith Nathan 5. Teagan Levi 6. Madison Ashby 7. Charlotte Caslick 8. Kaitlin Shave 9. Tia Hinds 10. Bella Nasser 12. Maddison Levi 13. Heidi Dennis 14. Bridget Clark 22. Bienne Terita 65. Sariah Paki
Australia Men’s sevens team for Hong Kong SVNS: 1. Henry Hutchison 2. Ben Dowling 3. Henry Palmer 4. Dietrich Roache 6. Henry Paterson 9. Matt Gonzalez 10. Nick Malouf 11. Maurice Longbottom 12. Nathan Lawson 14. James Turner 25. Hayden Sargeant 77. Michael Hooper 87. Michael Icely
