Ngarohi McGarvey-Black has been called into the All Blacks Sevens team for the Canada leg of the World Series. Photo / Getty Images
Ngarohi McGarvey-Black has been called into the All Blacks Sevens team for the Canada leg of the World Series. Photo / Getty Images
Rotorua's Ngarohi McGarvey-Black has been called up to the All Blacks Sevens team as an injury replacement.
McGarvey-Black and Andrew Knewstubb will join the team at the HSBC Canada Sevens this weekend as replacements for the injured Akuila Rokolisoa and Kurt Baker who have returned home.
Knewstubb has impressed thisseason and before missing the Las Vegas tournament last weekend was the series' leading points scorer. McGarvey-Black comes into the team after last playing in Cape Town in December.
All Blacks Sevens coach Clark Laidlaw said the quick turnaround made it an easy decision to bring in fresh legs.
"We expect Andrew and Ngarohi to come in and add a lot. Andrew is having a break-through season and playing bloody well, Ngarohi debuted this time last year in Las Vegas, the indoor stadium here in Vancouver is a fast track and that suits his game."
The All Blacks Sevens finished third last weekend in Las Vegas, knocked out by eventual winners USA.
"We thought we played extremely well for most parts of the weekend. Against USA we gave away a few cheap penalties which allowed them to get momentum at the end. We are frustrated to lose that semifinal the way we did but we are confident in where our game is at," Laidlaw said.
Now sitting second in the World Series, Laidlaw said the focus was on getting back into the number one position.
"That's our focus, to win the World Series. But we are realistic that USA are playing some awesome rugby and we have huge respect for the way they are playing the game. We think we are playing with some consistency, but we need to step that up."
The All Blacks Sevens will face France, Spain and Australia in pool play.
