Australian rugby sevens coach Michael O'Connor has named 10 rookies in his 18-man squad to compete in the IRB Sevens World Series which starts in Dubai on December 4 and moves to Adelaide for the only Australian leg of the circuit in March.
Fresh talent has been injected into the Sevens program with the likes of fullback Zack Holmes, utility back Ed Quirk and playmaker Jacob Taylor set to debut at the Dubai tournament alongside series regular Brian Sefanaia and captain Patrick McCutcheon.
Quirk is the youngest member of the Australian squad at 18; he was snapped up by the Queensland Reds Academy after showcasing his talent in 2008 while representing Queensland and Australia as a schoolboy.
Newly-awarded Olympic status will amplify the carnival and colour of IRB's eight-leg tournament as spectators are treated to a feast of fast and flamboyant rugby involving 16 countries and 200 of the world's best players.
The sevens circuit returns to Adelaide for its fourth installment on March 19-21 where Australia will target heavyweights of sevens South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina while also remaining acutely aware of the real threat posed by Pacific nations like Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
Sevens is increasingly becoming a breeding ground for future Wallabies.
Former sevens star Luke Morahan was called into the Wallabies squad last week and is the third Spring Tour squad member to emerge from the sevens circuit in the last 12 months.
