Experienced All Black sevens squad to prepare for Commonwealth Games
| Coach Gordon Tietjens has named an experienced squad to prepare for the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July.The squad is: | ||||||
| Pita Ahki Kurt Baker Tomasi Cama Scott Curry Ambrose Curtis Sam Dickson DJ Forbes Jack Goodhue Bryce Heem Akira Ioane Gillies Kaka Ben Lam Tim Mikkelson Declan O’Donnell Lote Raikabula Sherwin Stowers Joe Webber Adam Whitelock |
North Harbour Taranaki Manawatu Manawatu Wellington Canterbury Counties Manukau Northland Tasman Auckland Hawke’s Bay Auckland Waikato Waikato Wellington Counties Manukau Waikato Canterbury |
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The squad features the inclusion of Highlanders wing Kurt Baker and Blues back Pita Ahki. Both were members of the All Blacks Sevens team that won Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 in Moscow. Baker was also a member of the gold medal winning Delhi team.The squad will assemble in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday 3 June for a four day training camp. A final team of 12 will be named the following week. The team, plus two reserves will travel to Amsterdam in mid-July for a pre-Games training camp which will involve a game against the Netherlands sevens team. Coach Gordon Tietjens said he was keen to send a strong, experienced side to Glasgow for their tilt at a fifth gold medal. “To go to a Commonwealth Games and do well you need players with experience. I’ve selected three Super Rugby players who have played well for the team. Kurt Baker was important in terms of winning that gold medal in Delhi and Pita Ahki did well for the All Blacks Sevens in Russia so both are fine sevens players. Adam Whitelock was part of the very successful two tournaments in Glasgow and London in the World Series and he has done enough to press for a place to go to the Games as well.” He said competition for the final 12 places would be tough. “It’s on the wish list for a lot of players to be part of a Commonwealth Games side so no doubt the camp next week will be very fierce in terms of competition and I expect to have a huge headache to pick the 12 players who I think can win us that gold medal, but it’s a pleasant headache to have. “I am expecting an energised and enthusiastic side when it assembles next week and am looking forward to it.” |
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