New talent selected for Oceania Sevens
The All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens will look to develop young talent when they take the field at this week’s Oceania Sevens in Fiji.
A total of eight players will make their international sevens debut across the two teams in the tournament that plays alongside the Oceania Olympic Qualifiers.
The All Blacks Sevens team is(denotes debut)
Kurt Baker Manawatu
Dylan Collier Waikato
Scott Curry Bay of Plenty
Taylor Haugh Otago
Trael Joass Tasman
Niko Jones Auckland
Ngarohi McGarvey-Black Bay of Plenty
Tim Mikkelson Waikato
Amanaki Nicole Canterbury
Akuila Rokolisoa Counties Manukau
Jamie Spowart* Tasman
Te Rangatira Waitokia* Manawatu
William Warbrick* Bay of Plenty
With several members of the All Blacks Sevens squad still to return from Mitre 10 Cup commitments, four players will have the chance to don the black jersey for the first time.
Te Rangaira Waitokia, Jamie Spowart, Niko Jones and William Warbrick have been named in the team that will face New Caledonia, Niue, Japan and Fiji.
Coach Clark Laidlaw said it was a great opportunity for the young players to gain international experience.
“Pre-season tournaments allow us to give younger players some good exposure. It’s a genuine opportunity for us to build depth; we’ve got a long season ahead of us so its important.
“We’ve got a good balance, some of the older players are hungry for game time so they are looking forward to getting out there and seeing them alongside some of our developing players is great,” said Laidlaw.
It serves as the All Blacks Sevens second preseason hit out, after playing at the Ocktoberfest Sevens in Germany last month. Their first World Series tournament is in Dubai in December.
The Black Ferns Sevens team is (denotes debut)
Shakira Baker Waikato
Amy Du Plessis Otago
Tysha Ikenasio* Auckland
Rhiarna Ferris Manawatu
Theresa Fitzpatrick Auckland
Jazmin Hotham* Waikato
Huia Harding Waikato
Mahina Paul* Bay of Plenty
Cheyelle Robins-Reti Waikato
Alena Saili Southland
Montessa Tairakena Waikato
Tenika Willison Waikato
Portia Woodman Counties Manukau
With 12 months out of the game recovering from an Achilles injury, Portia Woodman is expected to make her return with some game time in Fiji.
“She has been working really hard in the background and this is an exciting opportunity to get off the training field without the pressure of it being a World Series event,” said co-Coach Cory Sweeney.
Four players will debut, with squad members Jazmin Hotham and Mahina Paul selected alongside development players Tysha Ikenasio and Amy Du Plessis.
“It’s the perfect opportunity to expose new and exciting talent to an international tournament with quality opposition. Mahina and Jaz have been with us for the year but have had injuries; we’ve seen a shift in their energy and focus as this tournament approaches and they know they are going to get on the field,” said Sweeney.
The Black Ferns Sevens opened their season with a third place at the Glendale Sevens in USA and will travel to Dubai next month for their next hit out.
Schedule
Thursday 7 November (local times listed)
1.12pm All Blacks Sevens v New Caledonia
2.18pm Black Ferns Sevens v Japan SDS
4.02pm All Blacks Sevens v Niue
Friday 8 November
12.06pm Black Ferns Sevens v Australia
2.40pm All Blacks Sevens v Japan SDS
4.30pm Black Ferns Sevens v Canada
7.26pm All Blacks Sevens v Fiji
Saturday 9 November
Finals Day
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