Trae 'Quadzilla' Williams returns to add pace to Australia's men's sevens rugby team
Former sprint star Trae Williams has returned to the Australian sevens team for the first time in two years after being recalled to the squad for the World Series tournament in Cape Town this weekend.
Williams, 25, was dubbed 'Quadzilla' in 2018 after running the 100m in 10.10s to qualify for the Commonwealth Games and become the fourth-fastest Australian of all time.
He switched to rugby in 2020 in a bid to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics but missed out on selection.
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Australia coach John Manenti, however, has given the Brisbane product another opportunity to showcase his blazing speed in a squad missing captain Nick Malouf and rookie Kye Oates.
Sydney youngsters Dally Bird and Jordan-Lee Bacon have also been included in the squad after a disappointing sixth place finish in Dubai last weekend.
Australia won the opening tournament of the 2022-23 season in Hong Kong and sits second behind South Africa on the overall series standings.
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"Even though we got the win in Hong Kong, we lacked consistency last week," Manenti said.
"The players have redoubled their efforts over the past few days and are hungry for the challenges that lie ahead this weekend. We have several new additions to the squad, and we're looking forward to seeing what these young guns can do."
Meanwhile, Australia's champion women's team have made two changes to the squad that won the opening tournament of the season in Dubai last weekend.
Faythe Manera and Isabella Nasser have come in for the injured Tia Hinds and Lily Dick.
"Our performance in Dubai was an excellent way to begin the Olympic qualifying season – not because of the win, but because of the way we won," coach Tim Walsh said.
"The tournament showcased some of the best rugby I have ever seen this team play.
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"The variety, skill and strategy they displayed was unrivalled. We are enjoying our time in Cape Town – it holds very fond memories for this team. All our preparations are on track and we are ready to perform."
The women's team play Ireland, Spain and South Africa in their pool matches while the men tackle the USA, Uganda and Great Britain.
Australian sevens squads for Cape Town
Men: Henry Hutchison (c), Dally Bird, Tim Clements, Stu Dunbar, Matt Gonzalez, Henry Hutchison, Nathan Lawson, Jordan Lee-Bacon, Maurice Longbottom, Ben Marr, Henry Paterson, Dietrich Roache, Josh Turner, Trae Williams
Women: Charlotte Caslick (co-c), Demi Hayes (co-c), Madison Ashby, Isabella Nasser, Dominique Du Toit, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Maddison Levi, Teagan Levi, Faith Nathan, Sariah Paki, Bienne Terita, Sharni Williams, Faythe Manera
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