Rugby Australia is pleased to announce the Australia A Sevens Women\u2019s squad to compete at the International Invitational in Dubai from Saturday (November 29-30).<\/p>\n
Australia A coach Shannon Parry has included Australian Sevens squad members Bridget Clark, Kiiahla Duff, Kahli Henwood, Piper Simons and Sidney Taylor for the tournament.<\/p>\n
The quintet recently missed selection for the opening round of the HSBC SVNS world series and will spearhead the side across the two-day event.<\/p>\n
Wallaroos pair Maya Stewart and Waiaria Ellis have also been named after both started training with Australia\u2019s Sevens squad following the Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup.<\/p>\n
Ellis has showcased her skills in both Sevens and XVs previously for Australian sides while Stewart, the equal-leading Wallaroos try-scorer of all time, is in line to play her first Sevens tournament in gold.<\/p>\n
Rhani Hagan, Zoe Waters and Emmisyn Wynyard stood out for Queensland during their Next Gen series victory in September while Anaia Cruickshank and Amelia Whitaker excelled for NSW.<\/p>\n
Australia A coach Shannon Parry said: \u201cThe International Invitational in Dubai is an important pathway for players preparing to take the next step into the national squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe amount of depth created in the Australian squad in recent years means we\u2019ll have plenty of World Series experience for the tournament and those players will also get valuable game time.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost of the younger players have come through the Next Gen Sevens program this year and are stars of the future while Maya Stewart gets a chance in Sevens.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a challenging tournament but we are looking forward to the opportunity to play in Dubai and against other international teams.\u201d<\/p>\n
Australia A have been drawn into Pool A with matches against Belgium, Kazakhstan, Brazil and China on Saturday with the finals to take place on Sunday.<\/p>\n