According to head coach Nick Wakley, it’s been one of the most difficult squad selections he and assistant coach Jonathan Hooper have had to make since they started in their roles, with a number of personnel changes to the side which competed in Dubai in December.
“Some really tough calls have been made, but it’s a sign of the times that emotion has now made way for focus and dedication,” says Wakley. “With our One Programme mentality, players like Alisha Butchers, Mel Clay, Rebecca De Filippo, Rhiannon Parker, Hannah Jones and Bethan Lewis now have a wonderful opportunity to stake a claim for the upcoming Six Nations.”
After a number of seasons away from the abbreviated code, there is a return for Sioned Harries. “It’s great to welcome back Sioned, whose performances in training have warranted selection in her first international sevens tournament in a few years,” comments Wakley. “Laurie Harries is selected again as she is building back to her best – the form we saw pre-Olympics in 2016.”
The seasoned Philippa Tuttiett is back after injury ruled her out of Dubai, with Wakley admitting the team has missed “her experience, communication skills and her relentless, infectious attitude to win”.
In what he calls a “world-class competition” – USA, England and South Africa are all set to feature along with the home team – Wakley intends to monitor his players’ performances closely, with Commonwealth Games spots up for grabs. The 2018 edition of the Games, held this April, will also take place in Queensland.
On the importance of the competition to his team’s growth, Wakley says: “The 10-day experience of travelling to the other side of the world to play sevens, in 35-degree heat, is an invaluable experience for our young squad, who will be returning in April to compete in the Commonwealth Games. This couldn’t have been achieved without the support of the Welsh Rugby Union and Sport Wales.”
Brisbane represents a starting point for a big year for the sevens team, with a World Series qualifier in Hong Kong, the Commonwealth Games and an invitation to compete in the World Series in Paris all to follow.
The competition will be streamed live on the Super 7s Facebook page.
Wales Women squad for Super 7s: Charlie Murray, Elinor Snowsill, Ffion Lewis, Gemma Rowland, Hannah Jones, Jasmine Joyce, Kayleigh Powell, Laurie Harries, Lucy Packer, Philippa Tuttiett, Shona Powell-Hughes, Sian Williams, Sioned Harries.
