Fifth farewell for Friend

AUSTRALIA’S men’s sevens skipper Jesse Parahi farewelled an “outstanding man” in coach Andy Friend – and welcomed a star in Maurice Longbottom – after the Aussies finished their Commonwealth Games campaign in fifth spot.

The Australian side took down Kenya and Scotland on day two, and while it wasn’t enough to patch up the devastation of not being in the final against eventual winners New Zealand, they were pleased to send Friend out on a winning note. After unsuccessfully reapplying for his job this year – women’s coach Tim Walsh will swap teams in coming weeks — Friend decided to not see out his contract through to July, believing it in the best interests of the team.