Hong Kong Sevens: Australia aiming for ‘big dance’ after recovering from Olympic comedown
New captain Henry Hutchison aiming to return Australia to winner’s podium after wait of more than two years
Henry Hutchison, the Australia captain, said managing the “emotional and physical comedown” following last summer’s Olympic Games had been a challenge for his team.
Nonetheless, the 28-year-old is confident Australia are coming back to the boil, as they aim for a first tournament success since their November 2022 Hong Kong triumph. Australia’s men’s side finished a disappointing seventh in last year’s HSBC SVNS Series, before losing an Olympic bronze medal playoff against South Africa.
Hutchison, who was appointed skipper before the beginning of the season, looked bereft after Australia lost their opening match to New Zealand on Friday. He galvanised his troops to handsomely beat South Africa in the day’s final game before closing off their pool with a comprehensive 28-12 victory over Uruguay on Saturday.
“I have fond memories of coming here … we’ve been in and around the big dance [tournament finals] a lot, but haven’t won since Hong Kong [in 2022],” Hutchison said. “It’s been a while between drinks, so, hopefully, we can break that curse this weekend.”
To make good on his wish, Hutchison said Australia must “hold the ball and be clinical – we’re a really good attacking team, we can build phases well – and execute when we have the opportunity”.
Former captain Nick Malouf’s retirement after the 2024 Olympics paved the way for Hutchison, also a member of Australia’s Games quarter-final teams in 2016 and 2021, to take charge.