HAYLETT-PETTY AND DARUDA NAMED IN AUSTRALIAN SEVENS SQUAD
Monday, 10 November 2008 3:56pm
RugbyWA Media Release
Teenage Emirates Western Force fullback Dane Haylett-Petty and inside back Scott Daruda have won selection in the Australian Sevens squad for the 2008/2009 IRB Sevens World Series.
The promising duo has been included in an 18-man squad for the eight tournaments of the series, which will be played around the globe between 28 November 2008 and 31 May 2009.
The Australian squad will also compete at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in March.
A product of Perth’s Hale School, Durban-born Haylett-Petty made three Super 14 appearances for the Emirates Western Force in 2008 after making his debut against the Chiefs in Perth.
The 19-year-old will add to his representative portfolio, having debuted for the Australian Under 20s at the Junior World Championships in Wales in June.
Haylett-Petty said he hoped to use the Sevens experience as a springboard to his Super 14 season with the Emirates Western Force.
“It’s a great opportunity top play some top class rugby and gain some experience for the Super 14 season,” Haylett-Petty said.
“There is nowhere to hide on the Sevens field so I’m really excited about the challenge.”
Daruda, an inaugural Emirates Western Force squad member, adds another feather to his cap after representing the Australia A team during last year’s Pacific Nations Cup tournament.
The Papua New Guinean-born utility enjoyed his most prolific Super 14 season in 2008, making seven appearances in the ocean blue jersey to lift his carry tally to 14 caps.
Last season Australia finished eighth in the Sevens World Series standings behind New Zealand, South Africa, Samoa, Fiji, England, Argentina and Kenya.
IRB Sevens World Series dates are as follows:
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Current Emirates Western Force players to have represented the Australian Sevens team include:
Richard Brown (2004), Nick Cummins (2006, 2007), Matt Giteau (2001, 2002, 2006), Matt Hodgson (2004, 2005, 2008), Drew Mitchell (2002), James O’Connor (2008), Chris O’Young (2002, 2003), Cameron Shepherd (2006), AJ Whalley (2003).
