Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper is in line for his international rugby sevens debut as he looks to push for a place on Australia's squad for the Paris Olympics in July.
Hooper was included in Australia's 13-man squad for the HSBC SVNS Hong Kong 7s next week. Coach John Manenti says Hooper has worked hard to make his way into the squad, and they are all delighted to welcome the rookie into the mix.
He says like any new player, it will be a learning experience for him and an important starting point for a potential Paris Olympics. Hooper, Australia's most capped skipper in rugby union, launched his sevens bid late last year after being controversially left out of former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones's World Cup squad.
His transition has been set back by an Achilles injury and a calf problem, which have delayed his selection.
He will hope to have a similar impact as France test captain Antoine Dupont, whose switch to sevens has been a roaring success and boosted the Olympic hosts' medal chances at Paris.
Meanwhile, Australia is in Pool B with Fiji, Canada and France at the Hong Kong 7s that will be held from next Friday to Sunday.
RNZ
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