The team is:

New Zealand’s Women’s Coach Sean Horan has named Bay of Plenty school teacher Morgan Morrow, aged 25, and former Kiwi Fern Charlotte Scanlan, 26, of Auckland to head to Dubai for the first of six tournaments in the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series.

Players not considered due to injury include Huriana Manual (leg), Kayla McAlister (neck), Michaela Blyde (knee), and Vaine Greig (leg).

“While we would rather not have injuries to some of our senior players, this has opened the door for new talent trying to push through,” Horan said.

“The new Women’s Sevens Series held in Taupo was an excellent platform for players and I am really impressed that both Morgan Morrow and Charlotte Scanlan played out of their skins and forced us to take a look at them.

“Both players have blended well into this team environment, and the competition for places in the squad has really lifted everyone’s game, which we will need to keep doing if we want to realise our goals for gold in Rio,” Horan said.

Seasoned campaigners Ruby Tui and Portia Woodman return from injuries to be selected for the travelling squad.

“It’s great to have Portia and Ruby back in the mix – both are hungry and on edge to get back into playing a tournament.  They are in fantastic condition as they’ve worked hard to maintain their fitness while rehabilitating from injuries.

“Portia is like the bionic woman – she’s come back bigger, faster, stronger, and Ruby just hasn’t missed a trick in terms of getting her body ready.   They are both keen to shake off the cobwebs in Dubai,” Horan said.

Meanwhile, 23-year-old Jordon Webber has been named for the women’s side while her brother Joe, has to wait another two days before finding out if he’s made the cut for the All Blacks Sevens team.

The New Zealand Women’s Sevens team departs for Dubai on Saturday evening.