There’s no substitute for speed in rugby, and Australia’s men’s sevens team now has two lightning-fast players hoping to take the world by storm before the Olympics next year. Henry Palmer and Hadley Tonga both clock under 11 seconds in the 100 meters, and they’re ready to make an impact on the rugby world.
Palmer, a schoolboy star in New Zealand, is set to make his World Series Sevens debut at just 20 years old. He’s been impressing with his speed, running the 100m in 10.6 seconds and hitting 10.3 meters per second over 40 meters. Yet, Tonga narrowly edges him out with a speed of 10.4 meters per second.
Both young players are eager to prove themselves, having grown up watching and learning from stars like Cheslin Kolbe and being inspired by other schoolboy sensations. They’re looking to follow in the footsteps of other speed demons who have made their mark on the international stage.
Australia’s Sevens coach John Manenti recognizes the importance of speed in the game. With Palmer and Tonga on the team, he hopes to see them make a strong debut to propel Australia to success in the upcoming Olympics. And Palmer and Tonga aren’t the only speedsters he’s keeping an eye on, with two other talented players also in the pipeline.