Ben Dowling

Born in Sydney, Ben Dowling has been building a strong reputation as a key outside back for Australia in Rugby Sevens, after prioritising the format over the 15-a-side game in anticipation for the Olympics.

After playing his junior Rugby for St Joseph's College, Ben progressed through the NSW Waratahs U18s academy, before playing his senior Rugby for Randwick in the Shute Shield.

Ben was an immediate standout in Sevens, winning player of the series at the 2019 National Youth Sevens tournament which was held on the Sunshine Coast.

Ben debuted for Australia in Rugby Sevens in late 2021, immediately becoming an integral member of the team. He played in the London Sevens tournament in 2022, in which Australia claimed their first series win since 2018.

Ben competed in six of eight tournaments during Australia's successful 2021-22 Rugby Sevens season in which the team won its inaugural World Series title.

Ben then switched back over to the traditional 15-a-side game in June of 2022 after being picked for the Junior Wallabies. He played in all three games across the tournament, the highlight being his performance again Fiji where he scored two tries.

Following his breakout year Ben flipped back to Sevens, after his selection in Australia’s team for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. He played in all six of Australia's matches, including the bronze medal match in which Australia fell short, going down to New Zealand 26-12.

Ben elected to step away from the seven aside game again in 2023, committing to a full year for the NSW Waratahs in the Super Rugby Pacific season. He played four matches for the Waratahs, being used as utility outside back while also getting the opportunity to start at fullback.

Ben also returned to his senior club side Randwick in 2023, playing in their Shute Shield grand final victory which broke a 19-year premiership drought.

Ahead of the Paris Olympics, Ben narrowed his focus on Rugby Sevens, returning to the national setup for the 2023-24 season.

At Paris 2024 Ben played a part in the men's rugby sevens team's best-ever finish at an Olympic Games.

After going undefeated against Samoa (21-14), Kenya (21-7) and Argentina (22-14) in the pool stage they booked a spot in the semi-finals with an 18-0 shutout of the USA. The Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Fiji side awaited in the semis, where the Aussie's run was halted with a 7-31 loss.

There was another chance at a medal in the battle for bronze against South Africa hours later, with South Africa winning 26-19 to put Australia in fourth place.