NSW Waratahs winger Archie Saunders is in line to make his Australian Sevens debut after being included in the Men’s squad for the HSBC SVNS world series in Vancouver on March 7-8.
The 22-year-old is a former Narrabeen Tigers junior and Knox Grammar School student, where he was an adept sprinter once coached by Olympian Melinda Gainsford-Taylor.
Saunders broke into Warringah’s First Grade Shute Shield side in 2024 and impressed for the Junior Wallabies at the Under 20s World Cup that year.
He scored a try on his Super Rugby Pacific debut against the Hurricanes in 2025.Saunders is one of four changes made by coach Liam Barry with Aussie Sevens stars Maurice Longbottom, Dietrich Roache and James Turner set for returns in key boosts for the side.
Longbottom and Roache have overcome hamstring injuries while Turner (knee) will play his first event of the season in timely comebacks with Will Cartwright (shoulder) ruled out for the remainder of the 2026 campaign.
Longbottom is set to play his 50th tournament on the world series for the Australians after making his debut in 2017.
Australia Sevens Men’s coach Liam Barry said: “It’s an exciting new challenge as the team heads to the cooler northern hemisphere where Vancouver has a high of eight degrees and New York is in the middle of a cold snap.
“We welcome back Maurice, Dietrich and James to the team and look forward to their input.“For Maurice to play his 50th tournament in Vancouver is an incredible achievement for a player that has had a huge influence on this programme.
“It’s also a really special moment for Archie Saunders and his family as he looks to represent the Australian Sevens team for the first time.”
For the Women’s squad, Demi Kennewell (nee Hayes) will make her return to the Australian side after eight months on the sidelines with an ACL injury.
The 27-year-old made a successful comeback playing for the ACT Brumbies in the Next Gen 7s earlier this month and will look to compete at a 29th event.
Kennewell is one of three changes made by Tim Walsh for the Vancouver trip with Bridget Clark and Kiiahla Duff also earning recalls.
The trio’s inclusions see Teagan Levi, Kaitlin Shave and Bienne Terita omitted from the squad as part of Walsh’s player rotation ahead of the World Championships in April.
Australia Sevens Women’s coach Tim Walsh said: “We are continuing the rotation of the squad before settling for the World Championship starting in Hong Kong.
“Bridget Clark, Kiiahla Duff and Demi Kennewell return to the team for Vancouver with Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Kaitlin Shave and Teagan Levi preparing in Sydney before meeting the team in New York.
“Our aim is to finish the regular series with precision and a ruthless edge, finalising all the pieces of the puzzle for a World Championship series performance reflective of the Aussie Sevens way.
“Vancouver brings snow outside with a bouncy summer feel inside the indoor BC Place. It’s one of the unique and true attractions of this beautiful sport and adaptability is an attitude and we choose to survey, adapt and perform.”
In further team news, Australian star Charlotte Caslick confirmed her pregnancy over the weekend and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season.
Caslick took to social media on Saturday to make the announcement alongside former Australia Men’s Sevens captain Lewis Holland.
Australia’s Men will meet Argentina, France and Fiji in the pool stages while the Aussie Women clash with Fiji, Canada and USA.
Every round of the HSBC SVNS series will be shown exclusive, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.
2. Amahli Hala – 5 events
3. Faith Nathan – 36 events
4. Mackenzie Davis – 9 events
6. Madison Ashby (c) – 29 events
9. Tia Hinds – 25 events
10. Isabella Nasser (c) – 21 events
11. Demi Kennewell – 28 events
12. Maddison Levi – 31 events
13. Heidi Dennis – 10 events
14. Bridget Clark – 8 events
15. Kahli Henwood – 9 events
28. Kiiahla Duff – 8 events
65. Sariah Paki – 39 events
1. Henry Hutchison (c) – 63 events
2. Ben Dowling – 24 events
4. Dietrich Roache – 31 events
7. Josh Turner – 41 events
10. Ben Dalton – 13 events
11. Maurice Longbottom – 49 events
13. Jayden Blake – 10 events
14. James Turner – 22 events
23. Aden Ekanayake – 11 events
24. Ethan McFarland – 4 events
33. Harry Wilson – 4 events
49. Archie Saunders* – debut
77. Wallace Charlie – 5 events
*Denotes possible debut
Players unavailable for selection
- Will Cartwright (shoulder) – 2026/2027 season
- Charlotte Caslick (pregnancy) – 2026/2027 season
- Michael Icely (shoulder) – Hong Kong 7s
- Henry Paterson (knee) – 2026/2027 season
HSBC SVNS WORLD SERIES VANCOUVER SCHEDULE
AUSTRALIA MEN
- Saturday March 7: Australia v Argentina (5:57am AEDT)
- Saturday March 7: Australia v France (9:45am AEDT)
- Saturday March 7: Australia v Fiji (1:56pm AEDT)
AUSTRALIA WOMEN
- Saturday March 7: Australia v Fiji (8:31am AEDT)
- Saturday March 7: Australia v Canada (12:19pm AEDT)
- Saturday March 7: Australia v USA (4:08pm AEDT)
HSBC SVNS WORLD SERIES 2025/2026
- Dubai (29-30 November, 2025)
- Cape Town (6-7 December, 2025)
- Singapore (31 January-1 February, 2026)
- Perth (7-8 February, 2026)
- Vancouver (7-8 March, 2026)
- New York (14-15 March, 2026)
HSBC SVNS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026
- Hong Kong (17-19 April, 2026)
- Valladolid (29-31 May, 2026)
- Bordeaux (5-7 June, 2026)
