Sevens: Years of sacrifices pay off for Kaka

Gillies Kaka.

Hawke's Bay Sevens whiz Gillies Kaka has, by his own admission, had some pretty boring eating habits during the past three years.

Non-fat chicken has been a regular meal. This sacrifice and his ability to stomach All Black Sevens coach Sir Gordon Tietjens' gruelling training sessions paid off yesterday with his selection for the Rio Olympics.

As Kaka's former Havelock North and Hawke's Bay Sevens coach Murdoch Paewai said:

"It would have been a surprise if Gillies didn't make it as he has been one of their key playmakers for a while now. At the same time it's still an awesome moment for Gillies and his family ... it's been a long wait too as this is one of the last Olympic teams to be named."

Kaka, 26, has been a regular on the World Series circuit since his debut at the Wellington Sevens in 2013. He was a member of the All Black Sevens team which won a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and has won Ngati Kahungunu and Hawke's Bay Sportsperson of the Year awards in the past.

Paewai said he would be surprised if Kaka and co weren't among the medal winners in Rio.

"At the same time this is Sevens and one bounce of the ball or one referee's interpretation can be the difference between winning and losing."

Scott Curry will captain the side after missing most of this year's World Series with a shoulder injury.

World Cup winning All Black Liam Messam and regular World Series player Kurt Baker failed to make the cut.

-Squad: Scott Curry (C), Sam Dickson, DJ Forbes, Akira Ioane, Reiko Ioane, Gillies Kaka, Tim Mikkelson, Augustine Pulu, Teddy Stanaway, Regan Ware, Joe Webber, Sonny Bill Williams.