New Zealand Rugby Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens confirmed on Friday the 12 players for the next two IRB Sevens Series tournaments in China's Hong Kong and Australia's Adelaide.
The team features two new caps in 26-year-old Counties Manukau halfback Chad Tuoro and 19-year-old North Harbor winger Nafi Tuitavake.
The team is currently at a four-day training camp at Mount Maunganui and will depart for Hong Kong on Saturday. The Hong Kong tournament is from March 28-30 and the Adelaide event from April 5-6.
Tuoro and Tuitavake have been with the wider New Zealand sevens squad but Hong Kong and Adelaide will be their first appearances in the IRB series.
New Zealand heads the IRB Sevens Series points table on 80 points, followed by South Africa (48 points), Fiji (44 points) and Samoa (38 points).
"The Hong Kong tournament is crucial because the winner earns 30 points, the most on offer by any tournament. Even though we have won the first four tournaments, we cannot afford to be complacent and it is important that we continue to stay focused and continue that momentum," Tietjens said.
New Zealand Sevens squad for Hong Kong and Adelaide are: Tomasi Cama, Edwin Cocker, DJ Forbes, Nigel Hunt, Solomon King, Zar Lawrence, Lote Raikabula, Rene Ranger, Chad Too, Nafi Tuitavake, Victor Vito and Steven Yates.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article