BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Charlotte Caslick will lead Australia’s world series champion team to the Paris Olympics, where she aims to win her second gold medal after taking the honors when rugby sevens made its Summer Games debut in 2016.
Australia’s women’s and men’s teams for Paris were confirmed on Wednesday, with Caslick and Sharni Smale in the women’s team and Nick Malouf and Henry Hutchison in the men’s team becoming three-time Olympians.
“We’ve worked really hard to get to this point where we’re chasing a gold medal,” said the 29-year-old Caslick, a two-time World Series Sevens Player of the Year. “I’ve enjoyed every moment I’ve been able to lead these players and we’re in a good place.
“Paris is an incredible city that will bring out the best in our players. We can’t wait to get there.”
After beating New Zealand to the first ever Olympic gold in rugby sevens, the Australians failed to make the medal play-offs in Tokyo.
But the women’s team enters Paris as world series champions after beating Tokyo gold medalists New Zealand in the semi-finals of the series final last month and then defeating France for the title.
The women’s team has been drawn with Ireland, South Africa and Great Britain in the 12-team Olympic tournament from July 28-30.
The men’s team includes Mark Nawaqanitawase, who recently decided to retire from rugby union and sign with the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League.
Australia’s men reached the finals on two stops of the world tour, finishing fourth in the championship stage behind Argentina, Ireland and New Zealand.
The men’s tournament kicks off the rugby sevens competition on July 24, two days before the official opening ceremony with Australia in a group with Argentina, Samoa and Kenya.
“A special congratulations to Sharni, Charlotte, Nick and Henry for becoming the first athletes in their sport to compete in three Olympic Games – they were pioneers in Rio and now history-makers in Paris,” said Australia’s deputy chef de mission Ken Wallace.
__
Australia’s teams:
Women: Charlotte Caslick (captain), Sharni Smale, Dominique du Toit, Tia Hinds, Maddison Levi, Faith Nathan, Sariah Paki, Bridget Clark, Teagan Levi, Isabella Nasser, Kaitlin Shave and Bienne Terita.
Men: Nick Malouf (captain), Henry Hutchison, Nathan Lawson, Maurice Longbottom, Dietrich Roache, Ben Dowling, Matthew Gonzalez, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Henry Paterson, Hayden Sargeant, Corey Toole and James Turner.
__
AP Summer Olympics: