Sevens: NZ women primed for world series

Bay of Plenty's Kelly Brazier training at Blake Park yesterday with the New Zealand Women's team. Photo / John Borren

The New Zealand Women's sevens team will take on the world's best in Brazil next month after a successful training camp held at Mount Maunganui this week.

Tauranga-based coach Sean Horan selected his 12-strong squad for the second leg of the world series including Bay of Plenty's Kelly Brazier. Two other Bay players, Alexis Tapsell and Morgan Morrow, trained at Mount Maunganui but were not selected due to injury.

Horan said last weekend's Bayleys National Sevens tournament in Rotorua gave him great confidence for the rest of the World Series and to form the crucial backbone of his Olympic side.

"The game is definitely progressing, it really excites me how far things have gone.

"There seems to be a real competitive edge out there and girls are working hard to compete for these precious contracts.

"It's also clear that some provinces are really starting to see the potential of sevens, and we're seeing athletes coming through, particularly from rural areas, with good skill sets and professional standards keep improving."

He says Bay of Plenty's performance at the nationals was a portent for the future.

"A lot of it has got to go back to the management team with Brad [Fleming] and Victoria [Grant] who really put the time and effort into jelling a bunch of new players together. They have moved towards the fundamentals of the game of getting fit, passing and looking after the ball.

"It is good to see the young talent coming through like Mystery [Ada McLean-Kora] from Te Puke."

Yesterday it was announced that Bay of Plenty's Lavinia Gould would be added to the 2015 contracted squad having completed a two-year ban issued by World Rugby (then IRB) for taking a banned stimulant.

She has been cleared to be considered for selection in the New Zealand team in the future.

"Lavinia accepted her sanction and has learned a valuable lesson," Horan said.

"To her credit she has maintained a passion for the game and she's worked very hard to put herself back into contention.

"Given that the programme has continued to grow and develop in the time she's been away, it shows resolve and discipline for her to come back in such good form.

"She had an outstanding tournament at the National Sevens and was one of the standout performers for me."

The team
New Zealand Women's sevens team to play in round two of the World Rugby Women's Sevens in Sao Paulo, Brazil, February 7-8
Charlotte Scanlan Auckland, Kelly Brazier Bay of Plenty, Gayle Broughton Taranaki, Sarah Goss Manawatu, Kayla McAlister Auckland, Tyla Nathan-Wong Auckland, Kat Whata-Simpkins Wellington, Hazel Tubic Counties Manukau, Ruby Tui Canterbury, Jordon Webber Waikato, Selica Winiata Manawatu, Portia Woodman Auckland.