Sevens coach opts to freshen squad

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Poverty Bay sevens coach Brent Mokomoko has opted to “freshen players and rest injuries” instead of competing in a sevens tournament in Cambridge tomorrow.

Mokomoko said the focus was on finalising the team for the New Zealand Sevens regional tournament at Levin on December 12.

“As well as the players who took part in the club sevens and the Weka sevens, anyone who feels they can still make the squad for the regionals can come along to training,” Mokomoko said.

He acknowledged the support he received from Dwayne Russell (manager), Rico Gear (assistant coach), Rua Tipoki (Gisborne Boys’ High School sevens coach), Marty Davis (Poverty Bay Rugby Union chief executive) and Karen Briant (union administrator).

“We’re training on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6pm to 7.30pm at the Rectory field and it’s a chance for players to get some great coaching from guys who played at the highest level.”

Mokomoko said last week’s Weka Sevens was a huge success.

“Hawke’s Bay teams provided the platform we needed and women’s sevens is now on the map here, thanks to coaches Trish Hina and Amoe Tarsau.

“The women are preparing well and continue to train on Sundays at the Rectory at 3pm.

“Trish and Amoe also have an open-door policy. If players think they are good enough they should come along but it would be hard to go past the girls who won the Weka tournament.”

Russell said Hunter Mokomoko, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Tamanui Grant-Hill, captain TK Moeke, Andrew Tauatevalu and James Grogan had booked their places in the squad for Levin, where the Bay will try to qualify for the national tournament in January.

“The remaining players will be named on Monday, pending commitment, performance, injuries and player clearances,” he said.

“Isaia, Andrew and the player of the Weka sevens tournament, Hunter, now turn their attention to preparation for the BNZ Condor Sevens national secondary schools championship in Auckland on December 4 and 5.”