Rookies Faythe Manera and Bella Nasser have been drafted into Australia’s world-beating women’s squad for potential debuts at the Cape Town Sevens.
Young Manera was flown in from the Gold Coast earlier this week when it was feared a quad strain would restrict Tia Hinds.
Hinds’ withdrawal has opened an opportunity for Manera to be 13th woman for the world champions when the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournament starts on Friday.
Hinds’ precise kick-offs were a standout skill that allowed the Aussies to regain possession when they outclassed New Zealand 26-19 in last weekend’s impressive Dubai Sevens final.
Manera’s kicking game and ball-playing are considered a good fit for the elite Aussie team after her own strong form for Australia A in the International Invitation tournament for women in Dubai.
“We’ve worked really hard on restarts so to replace our top kicker, in Tia, with Faythe’s skill in that area really fits what the team needs,” coach Tim Walsh said.
“Faythe stood out and controlled the game as a space creator for Australia A. She’s trained with us for the first time this week, will be named as our 13th player for our opener and the chance to play may come as the tournament unfolds.”
Earning a spot in Cape Town is a wonderful sign of resilience and fight from the Bond University player, who was on crutches with a major knee ligament injury in May last year.
“Just a minor setback, destined for an even bigger comeback,” were the determined and prophetic words she posted on Instagram at the time.
Nasser is certain to see time in Australia’s pool games against South Africa, Spain and Ireland. Her opportunity has come from a calculated move to not overload Lily Dick, who is resting from this tournament because of shin issues.
The daughter of 1991 Rugby World Cup backrower Brendan Nasser plays a power game and has a knack at the breakdown to grab turnovers.
The high-energy Australians have fond memories of Cape Town Stadium because it is just three months since their World Cup Sevens triumph at the same venue.
More relevant is how they hit the new season in Dubai last week because the four-try performance against NZ in the final was exceptional in attacking terms.
Right from the slicing run from Sariah Paki in the opening seconds, the Aussies played with superior combinations and execution.
The set-play try from a quick tap on halfway which saw Charlotte Caslick, Madi Ashby and Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea feed flyer Faith Nathan on the wing for a try was of the highest quality.
It also came with a classic prod from Walsh after NZ speedster Michaela Blyde had fended off Nathan and rounded her for a try moments earlier.
“Faith likes to be told how it is so I got a message onto the field ‘you owe us one Faith’ to fire her up a little,” Walsh revealed.
“Seconds later she’s scoring an excellent try.
“Actually, that was one of our best attacking performances for a long time in the final and I’m really proud of the players for starting a new season at that level. Cape Town has happy memories for us but we also know that the South African crowd will be right behind their team in our opening pool game.”
Maddison Levi’s 11 tries in Dubai were a signal of how potent she is as a weapon out wide. As ever, she’s always striving to improve because Blyde beat her with an in-and-away for a try in the final too.
