NATIONAL STARS TO MISS UNI SEVENS
BIG names including Charlotte Caslick are set to miss the entire second edition of the Aon Uni Sevens Series.
Caslick, who is a highprofile figure on the global rugby sevens stage, was named in Bond University’s squad for Round 1 in Hobart on August 25-26.
But due to a tight Australian team schedule, she is among a group of marquee players who are expected to be quarantined from the growing university series.
The sport’s World Cup was held on July 20-22 and the start of the World Series has been brought forward by more than a month to kick off on October 20.
“So in order for them to have the correct time off and then pre-season, it doesn’t allow for those girls that played very regularly in this season to play within the Aon this year,” Bond coach Ben Gollings confirmed.
“They have ring-fenced a certain amount of players that I am under the impression will not play at all in Aon. Charlotte will be one of the mainstays in that squad.
“It is a shame because it is great to have them integrated into the teams. I think all the teams enjoy playing with and against them. You can learn quite a lot off them.”
Bond should however be able to field Lauren Brown – another national player in their ranks – for the most part. Brown, who captained Griffith University last year, is trying to work her way up from the fringe of the Australian side.
“If we lose Lauren, it will be because of her own success which we would be happy to have been a part of,” Gollings said.
Aside from improving incumbents such as Jessica Elliston and Stephanie Rutherford, Bond have names on their list including Irish players Eve Higgins and Kathy Baker, Canadian Gabby Senft and Burleigh rugby league premiership winners Keri-Jade Robertson and Tyler Birch.
University of Queensland sailed through the inaugural event last year undefeated, with Bond placing second and Griffith fourth.
University of Melbourne and University of Sydney have been added this year to make a 10-team format.