New Zealand have named four new players in their 14-man squad to challenge for a fourth consecutive HSBC Wellington Sevens title on 28-29 January.
Trael Joass, Andrew Knewstubb, Tone Ng Shiu and Vilimoni Koroi will be joined by household names such as captain Scott Curry, Tim Mikkelson and all-time sevens appearance record holder DJ Forbes as they look to notch up their first tournament win of the 2016-17 series.
In 2016, the All Blacks Sevens won a stunning final against South Africa 24-21, after Joe Webber scored a last gasp try to sink Neil Powell's Blitzboks outfit. The team, which featured Sonny Bill Willams, also went on to secure the HSBC Sydney Sevens title with another close fought match against Australia.
Interim New Zealand head coach Scott Waldrom said the new selections were based on performance at the recent national sevens tournament in Rotorua.
“We said that the guys performing well would be the ones rewarded with selection. We are confident that this squad contains the best sevens rugby players in the country at the moment.
“This is a team based on form, and it shows that exciting talent coming through can put their hand up and be successful with national selection.
“It’s exciting to put Trael, Andrew, Vilimoni and Tone into the All Blacks Sevens environment in Wellington. Our focus when we go into camp next Monday is to bring the new guys up to speed with our structures and the team culture.
“There is also a lot of experience in the squad. DJ Forbes will play his 82nd World Series tournament in Wellington, and a number of the other players have been part of successful campaigns over the years. It is good to have a mix of experience and new talent to keep us fresh."
The All Blacks Sevens currently sit fifth overall in the standings after two competiive opening rounds in Dubai and Cape Town. In Dubai, New Zealand lost 40-0 in the Cup quarter-finals to eventual champions South Africa and once again came unstuck against the Blitzboks in Cape Town, losing 14-7 in the Cup semi-finals.
New Zealand squad: Scott Curry (captain), Dylan Collier, DJ Forbes, Iopu Iopu-Aso, Trael Joass, Rocky Khan, Andrew Knewstubb, Vilimoni Koroi, Tim Mikkelson, Sione Molia, Tone Ng Shiu, Sherwin Stowers, Isaac Te Tamaki, Regan Ware
USA BRING BACK PLAYMAKER HUGHES
Madison Hughes regains the USA captain’s armband and Carlin Isles and Brett Thompson are back from injury as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2016-17 moves to Oceania for the Wellington and Sydney Sevens.
Having had a busy year in both sevens and 15s, Hughes was rested for the Cape Town Sevens back in December with Perry Baker leading the side to a sixth-place finish in his absence.
The extra responsibility did not adversely affect Baker’s form, the speedster scoring five tries in South Africa to surpass Isles on the USA's all-time try-scoring chart with a total of 86 touchdowns.
Though he led all Olympians in tries scored at Rio 2016, Isles has not made an appearance on the circuit since HSBC USA Sevens 10 months ago.
Initially missing the Canadian round of the 2015-16 series in an attempt to qualify as a track athlete at the 2016 Olympic Games, he aggravated an injury in Brazil that required ample recovery time.
Third behind Baker and Zack Test in tries scored for the USA Sevens Eagles, the fastest man in rugby will give coach Mike Friday another threat in attack in a dangerous Pool C that contains defending champions and hosts New Zealand, France and Samoa.
Thompson only just missed being ready for Rio after he had suffered a mid-season injury and was not available for the Dubai and Cape Town tournaments following a recovery setback. He will join Danny Barrett and Andrew Durutalo as experienced forwards in the team, having made his series debut during the 2012-13 season.
Folau Niua and Stephen Tomasin led the attack and took over the goal-kicking for the Eagles in Cape Town with Hughes away from the squad, while Matai Leuta found his series legs for the first time since the fourth round of the 2015-16 season.
The USA are currently eighth in the standings with 18 points.
USA squad: Carlin Isles, Matai Leuta, Danny Barrett, Brett Thompson, Don Pati, Andrew Durutalo, Folau Niua, Kevon Williams, Stephen Tomasin, Madison Hughes (captain), Perry Baker, Martin Iosefo.
TEENAGE ACE GETS FRANCE CALL-UP
Teenager Pierre-Louis Barassi (pictured) and Bastien Berenguel have been called into the France squad for the Wellington and Sydney Sevens.
Barassi, who is just 18 years of age, has been an ever-present for his club side Lyon in this season’s European Rugby Challenge Cup, while 23-year-old Berenguel plays 15s in Pro D2 with Stade Montois.
They come in for Anastase Leote, who was not considered due to injury, and Kelegh Moutome.
France won the Shield on their last visit to Wellington and will be looking for an improved showing as they look to climb the standings. Heading into the third round, France are in 10th place on 18 points.
Pool opponents New Zealand have won the last three Wellington tournaments and are on a 17-match winning run on home soil. Nevertheless, France defeated the All Blacks Sevens in their last meeting in Singapore in 2016 (24-0), ending 31 consecutive defeats against New Zealand.
The USA and Samoa are also in Pool C. France have posted as many victories as defeats in the last eight matches against each of these nations (four wins, four losses).
France squad: Jérémy Alcardi, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Jean-Paul Barraque, Bastien Berenguel, Terry Bouhraoua (captain), Julien Candelon, Manöel Dall Igna, Alexandre Gracbling, Vincent Inigo, Pierre-Gilles Lakafia, Jonathan Laugel, Jean-Baptiste Mazoue, Stephen Parez-Edo, Sacha Valleau.