Volcanoes names players for HK Sevens

source | http://www.abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine Rugby Football Union (PFRU) on Monday announced the members of the Philippine Volcanoes Men's Sevens Team, which will debut at the Hong Kong Sevens 2012 rugby tournament next month.

"It was a difficult task to choose the final 12, in view of all the quality players that put their hand up for the competition,” national coaches Matt Cullen and Expo Mejia said in a statement.

“We also had to consider their fitness levels, existing injuries and other factors that may impact their performance. Whether they were selected or not, we are proud of all our players, past and present, because they all had a role in getting us to where we are today. They will be in our hearts and minds when we step onto the pitch in Hong Kong,” they said.

The 12 squad members are: Terry Carroll, Mark Chatting, Justin Coveney, Chris Hitch, Jake Letts, Michael Letts, Joseph Matthews, Luke Matthews, Patrice Olivier, Matt Saunders, Oliver Saunders and Jake Ward. 

Chatting, Coveney, Hitch, Letts and the Matthews and Saunders brothers were all part of the team that won a silver medal at last year’s Borneo Sevens tournament. 

In compliance with the International Rugby Board regulations, the 100% Filipino-heritage squad consists of players who were either born in the Philippines, or have at least one parent or grandparent who was born in the Philippines.  

All players were selected by the PRFU National Teams Committee and are the top 12 players who are currently available and playing Rugby 7s at elite levels, the PFRU said.

The Philippine Volcanoes will train together in Manila on the third week of March and depart for Hong Kong on March 20.

The Philippines is in Pool E with Canada, Spain and Zimbabwe. 

The Hong Kong Sevens 2012 is scheduled on March 23-25 at the Hong Kong Stadium.