New best mate: Boost for Aussie Olympic hopes as Andy Friend is named sevens head coach
Squad with ‘never say die’ attitude capable of beating any team in the world, says new boss
Australia’s men’s sevens aspirations for the 2016 Rio Olympics were given a huge boost on Tuesday with the appointment of Andy Friend as full-time head coach.
Friend will join the Aussie sevens set-up from Japanese club Suntory Sungoliaths at the conclusion of the Top League season in January, meaning the 46-year-old will likely miss the Wellington and Sydney legs of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
The Wellington tournament takes place 30-31 January, with Sydney the following week, and former Harlequins and ACT Brumbies coach Friend is expected to take charge of the team ahead of the Las Vegas Sevens in March.
Women’s coach Tim Walsh stepped in to ensure the men of a place in Rio by winning the Oceania Sevens qualifying event in November, and Scott Bowen took charge ahead of the 2015-16 Sevens World Series in December.
Friend, who was part of the Wallabies coaching set-up in 2002 and 2003 and was an assistant coach for the sevens side in 2005, said he felt the Australian squad were very capable of springing a surprise or two in Brazil in August.