VICTORIA — Australia, the team to beat this season in the Women's Sevens Series, is resting some top talent for the Canada Sevens this weekend.
The Australians have won all three events so far but will have a different look in suburban Langford.
Coach Tim Walsh is giving Charlottle Caslick, Alicia Quirk and Emma Tonegato the weekend off in favour of 17-year-old Demi Hayes, 18-year-old Shenae Cieksiolka and 20-year-old Georgina Friedrichs.
Nicole Beck steps in for Evania Pelite, who injured her elbow last weekend in Atlanta. Captain Sharni Williams, a former mechanic before taking up rugby full time, has been out since injuring a knee in December in Dubai, the first stop of the season.
"We've proved we're a team in good form but you're only one tournament from disappearing," acting skipper Shannon Parry said Thursday after a photo op with all 12 captains at Victoria Harbour.
"Another big weekend of footie for us but (we're) looking forward to see what this new young crop can bring and test themselves at this elite level," she added. "Because we need to build depth and that's what we're here to do."
Australia is 17-1 this season, losing 21-7 to England in the pool stage in Atlanta before rebounding to defeat New Zealand 24-19 in the final.
"Full credit to them," said New Zealand captain Sarah Goss. "They're playing to their systems. They've got an awesome structured team."
The Australians finished third on the circuit last season, behind New Zealand and runner-up Canada.
This year, they lead with 60 points and have a plus-309 points difference. New Zealand is second in the standings with 46 points ahead of Canada at 42 and England at 40 as the teams head into the penultimate stop on the five-event World Series.
Canadian captain Jen Kish missed last year's tournament here with a knee injury.
"Being a fan in the stands was a great experience," said the Edmonton native. "But being able to run out on the field with my teammates will be an even better experience for me. I'm just dying in anticipation for this opportunity."
Canada continues to have injury issues. Britt Benn returns to action but Emmanuela Jada is out after spraining a knee last weekend in her debut. Elissa Alarie, Magali Harvey, Ashley Steacy and Natasha Watcham-Roy are close to returning but not yet ready.
