Utility back Luke Morahan is the latest Australian Sevens star to graduate to the Wallabies, after coach Robbie Deans on Monday called for year-end tour reinforcements.Reds recruit Morahan joins the Australian squad as additional backline cover, after Stirling Mortlock (calf muscle injury) was unable to take his selected place in the touring party.
Morahan, 19, will link with the Wallabies for the final fortnight of the tour, taking in the midweek game against Cardiff between Test matches against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday and Wales at Millennium Stadium on November 28.
The Gold Coast teenager made his debut on the Sevens World Series circuit in 2008-2009, played at the World Cup Sevens in Dubai in March, and also made his Super 14 debut with the Reds in April.
Shoulder damage brought an early end to his season, but Morahan has since signed a full contract with the Reds for 2010.
The 19-year-old becomes the 10th member of the current Wallabies touring squad who have successfully made their way into the 15-man game via the Sevens program.
Most recently, scrumhalf Richard Kingi was plucked from the Sevens ranks after outstanding form during the IRB Sevens World Series to be the bolter in coach Robbie Deans' year-end tour squad.
Star flyhalf Matt Giteau cut his teeth in the shortened, free-running version of the game as did five other members of the original Wallabies squad backline – James O'Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Rob Horne (hamstring injury) and Drew Mitchell.
No.8 Richard Brown and flank Matt Hodgson also used Sevens as a pathway into the prized gold jersey.
Morahan will fly out of Brisbane on Monday to link with the Wallabies squad in Edinburgh.
- Source: Rugby365.com
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