Australia 7s

Kerevi has been named as the highest-profile member in Tim Walsh’s squad as Australia narrow in on the Games, where they will look to challenge for a podium finish.

The 33-test international confirmed his switch from the XV-man game to sevens in May following the completion of the Top League in Japan, where he had been playing for Suntory Sungoliath.

Australia can secure passage to Tokyo 2020 at the Oceania Sevens by winning their section of the tournament, where Tonga and Samoa shape as their two biggest hurdles.

A strong Australian squad will play Vanuatu and Nauru on Thursday before games against American Samoa and Tonga on Friday and if they both top their pool, a likely Olympic play-off against Samoa on Saturday.

The already-qualified New Zealand and Fiji will also play in Suva, but not against Australia until the Olympic quota spot has been decided.

And, according to Holland, that is not a bad thing for two reasons: the best players possible are required for Olympic success, and secondly, competition for spots will only serve to help Australia’s current players by never letting them feel “safe".

"We haven’t got the results we wanted this year so it does open a little bit of a door up for some of those guys to come and give it a shot,” Holland said.

The Aussie men’s team head to Hong Kong this week, looking to win their first title at the iconic tournament since 1988.