NZ Sevens trial squad named

New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has named a strong squad of 24 for a four-day trial camp at Mt Maunganui.

The camp is the first of two before the New Zealand Sevens squad of 12 is selected for the two opening tournaments of the 2007/2008 IRB Sevens World Series, to be played in Dubai and South Africa.

The camp will be the first assembly since the New Zealand Sevens team was named IRB Sevens Team of the Year at the recent IRB Awards.

The training squad includes Afeleke Pelenise, who was also named 2007 IRB Sevens Player of the Year, and fellow nominee DJ Forbes. Also included is 2007 New Zealand Under 19 representative Israel Dagg as well as 2006 national Under 19 players Armyn Sanders and captain Victor Vito. Other newcomers include Daniel Crichton, Jayden Hayward, Karne Hesketh, Nathan Hohaia, James Kamana, Chris Small, Alex Tulou and Albert Vulivuli. 

Tietjens said he had watched all the players during the Air New Zealand Cup and other competitions and they all deserved a chance to push for national selection.

“This camp will be their introduction to the national Sevens environment but I am sure that they will adapt quickly.

“We ended last season on a fantastic note with the team winning the last couple of tournaments and there is a good mood amongst the squad following the international recognition for the team and Afeleke and DJ. However, the hard work resumes next week.”

2007 New Zealand Sevens players Scott Waldrom and Adam Thomson will not be attending the trial because of their recent Air New Zealand Cup commitments. Other 2007 New Zealand Sevens squad members Charles Baxter, Aden Dewes, Jarek Goebel and Willie Rickards are also unavailable for the trial camp due to injury.

New Zealand Sevens trial squad: Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), Edwin Cocker (Auckland), Daniel Crichton (Counties Manukau), Israel Dagg (Hawke’s Bay), DJ Forbes (Auckland), Jayden Hayward (Taranaki), Karne Hesketh (Otago), Nathan Hohaia (Taranaki), Jason Hona (Bay of Plenty), Nigel Hunt (Wellington), Tafai Ioasa (Hawke’s Bay), James Kamana (Waikato), Solomon King (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (North Harbour), Afeleke Pelenise (Tasman), Lote Raikabula (Hawke’s Bay), Rene Ranger (Northland), Armyn Sanders (Waikato), Chris Small (Canterbury), Nick Thomson (Canterbury), Alex Tulou (Wellington), Albert Vulivuli (Waikato), Victor Vito (Wellington) and Steven Yates (Canterbury).