Tuqiri joins Aussies in Hong Kong

Waratah scrum-half Elia Tuqiri will join the Australian Sevens squad for the biggest event on the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens circuit, Hong Kong, when the tournament gets under way on Friday.

Tuqiri, who has been playing off the bench for the Waratahs behind their skipper Chris Whitaker in the Super 12 this season, received a call-up to the Sevens team after returning to Australia from NSW's two-match tour to South Africa.

The Australians play their first match against Namibia on Friday. On Saturday they will tackle Chinese Taipei and Samoa.

It is a new-look Australian squad bound for Hong Kong, with the return of Peter Hewat, Patrick Phibbs and Arthur Little for their first taste of IRB Sevens action this season. Matt Hodgson and Ben Mowen will make their Sevens debuts.

The 2003/04 IRB Sevens has been the most competitive in its five-year history, with four different winners in the first four tournaments. Unlike other tournaments in the series which involve 16 teams, the Hong Kong Sevens attracts 24 teams, and there are 50 percent more tournament points up for grabs.

Australia: Paul Warwick (captain), Adam Ashley-Cooper, Richard Brown, Peter Hewat, Matt Hodgson, Luke Inman, Arthur Little, Ben Mowen, Patrick Phibbs, Jarrod Saffy, Chris Siale, Elia Tuqiri.