Australian stars Demi Kennewell and Jayden Blake have been named for the final two rounds of the HSBC SVNS World Championships in Valladolid and Bordeaux from May 29-31.
The pair missed last month’s World Championships opener in Hong Kong but are added boosts for the squads, who remain in contention of taking out both titles across the final two events of the season. Australia will play in the penultimate round in Valladolid, Spain, before the conclusion in Bordeaux, France, on June 5-7. Kennewell has eased her way back from a long-term knee injury, returning to the field in March, while Blake was a late withdrawal in Hong Kong due to a quad strain.
Kennewell’s inclusion shifts Amahli Hala out of the squad with the 20-year-old set for a stint in Japan alongside Heidi Dennis and more Aussie Sevens teammates later next month.
Australia Women’s co-captain Isabella Nasser will notch her 25th career tournament in Valladolid as the side look to win the final two tournaments to claim the overall series title. Australia Sevens Women’s coach Tim Walsh said: “We have had a consistent and ‘good’ season thus far but our expectations are to have a ‘great’ season and that means winning the World Championship. “We have many challenges ahead and are prepared for what awaits us in Europe. “We are fielding our most experienced team this season headlined by captain Bella Nasser reaching the 25-cap mark.” The Aussie Men are otherwise unchanged with Liam Barry’s squad travelling with 14 for the back-to-back tournaments. Blake has had a strong second season with the Aussie Sevens side as he pushes towards a maiden Olympics campaign in 2028. Australia’s Men are ranked sixth going into the second of three World Championships rounds and will be chasing podium finishes. Australia Sevens Men’s coach Liam Barry said: “We’re looking forward to heading over to Spain this week and preparing for the final two events of the season. “We had a great opening day in Hong Kong but we will need to be a lot more clinical when we get to the knockout games which the players are fully aware of. “We have had an excellent preparation window and we are fortunate to be able to travel with 14 for the next two events which will ensure flexibility in the squad if required.” Australia’s Men will meet Kenya, Great Britain and South Africa in the pool stages while the Aussie Women clash with South Africa, Fiji and USA. Both sides will depart for Spain on Thursday afternoon and will remain overseas before transferring to Bordeaux.
Every round of the HSBC SVNS World Championships will be shown exclusive, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.
Australia Women’s Sevens team for 2026 HSBC SVNS World Championships Valladolid and Bordeaux:
3. Faith Nathan – 39 events
5. Teagan Levi – 31 events
6. Madison Ashby (c) – 32 events
8. Kaitlin Shave – 13 events
9. Tia Hinds – 28 events
10. Isabella Nasser (c) – 24 events
11. Demi Kennewell – 30 events
12. Maddison Levi – 34 events
13. Heidi Dennis – 13 events
15. Kahli Henwood – 12 events
22. Bienne Terita – 22 events
55. Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea – 17 events
65. Sariah Paki – 42 events
Australia Men's Sevens team for 2026 HSBC SVNS World Championships for Valladolid and Bordeaux:
1. Henry Hutchison (c) – 66 events
2. Ben Dowling – 27 events
3. James McGregor – 9 events
4. Dietrich Roache – 34 events
7. Josh Turner – 44 events
10. Ben Dalton – 16 events
11. Maurice Longbottom – 52 events
13. Jayden Blake – 12 events
14. James Turner – 25 events
23. Aden Ekanayake – 14 events
24. Ethan McFarland – 7 events
33. Harry Wilson – 7 events
49. Archie Saunders – 3 events
77. Wallace Charlie – 8 events
Players unavailable for selection
- Will Cartwright (shoulder) – 2026/2027 season
- Charlotte Caslick (pregnancy) – 2026/2027 season
- Henry Paterson (knee) – 2026/2027 season
HSBC SVNS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS VALLADOLID SCHEDULE
AUSTRALIA WOMEN
- Friday 29 May: Australia v South Africa (6:22pm AEST)
- Friday 29 May: Australia v Fiji (10:51pm AEST)
- Saturday 30 May: Australia v USA (6:22pm AEST)
AUSTRALIA MEN
- Friday 29 May: Australia v Kenya (8:12pm AEST)
- Saturday 30 May: Australia v Great Britain (12:46am AEST)
- Saturday 30 May: Australia v South Africa (9:23pm AEST)
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)
