BOP Sevens star back in from the cold

Bay of Plenty Seven's star Lavina Gould is back into the game after a more than two-year absence. Photo/George Novak

Lavinia Gould was named today at Blake Park in the New Zealand Women's Sevens team for the final two legs of the World Series in London and Amsterdam.

For the 34-year-old Bay of Plenty woman said it was the best news she has had since she was banned from playing sevens in late 2012 after taking a banned stimulant through as much bad luck as ignorance.

"You have a dream and it is how much you want it and that is really what drives you," Gould told the Bay of Plenty Times.

"It drove me for the two years and it is still driving me."

The Mount Maunganui resident said the Rio Olympics were the underlying driving force behind her keeping fit and focused over the long period out of the game.

"I love this game and never lost sight of how much I love being out on the field. I can't wait to get out there."

New Zealand coach Sean Horan said it has been a true test of her character and testimony to a woman that is really chasing a dream.

"To go through the challenges that she has and the mistakes that were made and the learnings along the way, she is truly living the dream now," he said.

"It is about getting her back on the bike. It has been a long time coming up two and a half years now and it is a chance for her to relearn her trade and go from there. There won't be any pressure on her."

Tauranga's Horan has made five changes from the side that won in Canada last month.

"We've brought back Jordan Webber, Shiray Tane and Kat Whata-Simpkins to give them some valuable in-tournament game time which will help build our quality depth," Horan said.

New Zealand has won all four of the six rounds played so far in the competition (Dubai, Brazil, USA and Canada) and lead the points table on 80, followed by Canada on 58, and Australia on 56.

The team is:
1. Ruby Tui, Canterbury
2. Honey Hireme, Waikato
3. Hazel Tubic, Counties Manukau
4. Jordon Webber, Waikato
5. Sarah Goss (Captain), Manawatu
6. Gayle Broughton, Taranaki
7. Tyla Nathan-Wong, Auckland
8. Kelly Brazier (Vice-Captain), Bay of Plenty
9. Lavinia Gould, Bay of Plenty
10. Shiray Tane, Waikato
11. Portia Woodman, Auckland
12. Katarina Whata-Simpkins, Wellington