The New Zealand sevens teams for the Commonwealth Games. Photo / Getty
The men's and women's sevens teams for the Commonwealth Games have been revealed in Mt Maunganui today, with Etene Nanai-Seturo a major omission.
While the women make their first appearance at the Games, the men's team have a rich history having won four gold and one silver medal previously.
This year's men's team features five previous Commonwealth Games medallists but Nanai-Seturo, who was at the centre of a tug-of-war between the Warriors and NZ Rugby, has missed the cut.
"Narrowing down this squad to 13 players was tough work. We've got a group of really experienced players who know what it takes at events like this and are playing well and then a group of younger guys that want to express themselves," men's coach Clark Laidlaw said.
"The Commonwealth Games is very different for rugby players and something we are really looking forward too. Being part of the wider New Zealand team, the opening ceremony and things like that, we are going to embrace it all.
"What isn't different is when we put our boots on to train or when we walk into the stadium to play, that is the same and business as usual."
In 2018 they will meet Canada, Kenya and Zambia in Pool C. The men must top their pool to advance to the semifinals.
The experienced women's team comprises nine players who captured silver medals at the Rio Olympics.
"You can't beat experience when it comes to a pinnacle event and that was part of what we looked at when selecting the squad; players that understand how exciting and busy an event like this is," coach Allan Bunting said.
"The Commonwealth Games is second only to the Olympics for us as an opportunity to inspire young women rugby players.
"We are looking forward to stamping our mark as a rugby team and our expressing ourselves on the world stage."
The women's team is placed in Pool A alongside Canada, South Africa and Kenya at the Games. The top two placed teams from pool play advance to the semifinals.
New Zealand Olympic Committee chief executive Kereyn Smith congratulated the selected athletes.
"New Zealand Rugby sevens has an extremely proud history at the Commonwealth Games and on the Gold Coast that history will grow with women's rugby sevens to be contested for the first time ever at the Games," Smith said.
"This is fantastic for the team and for the New Zealand public and it's a great opportunity for these players to inspire the young women of New Zealand and show them what they're capable of.
New Zealand Rugby's chief strategy and operations manager Nigel Cass said the Commonwealth Games is a pinnacle event on the sevens calendar.
"Rugby's involvement in the Commonwealth Games dates back 20 years to Kuala Lumpur and our men have time and time again produced memorable performances.
"The introduction of women's rugby sevens at the games is a reflection of how the game continues to grow and I believe can also be credited to the great work many of our players are doing as positive ambassadors of the sport."
Women's sevens team:
Portia Woodman (Counties Manukau)
Stacey Waaka (Waikato)
Shakira Baker (Waikato)
Sarah Goss (Manawatu)
Ruby Tui (Bay of Plenty)
Theresa Fitzpatrick (Auckland)
Tyla Nathan-Wong (Auckland)
Kat Whata-Simpkins (Wellington)
Kelly Brazier (Bay of Plenty)
Gayle Broughton (Bay of Plenty)
Niall Williams (Auckland)
Michaela Blyde (Bay of Plenty)
Travelling reserve: Tenika Willison (Waikato)
Men's sevens team:
Tim Mikkelson (Waikato)
Scott Curry (Bay of Plenty)
Dylan Collier (Waikato)
Sam Dickson (Canterbury)
Trael Joass (Tasman)
Vilimoni Koroi (Otago)
Andrew Knewstubb (Tasman)
Sione Molia (Counties Manukau)
Kurt Baker (Manawatu)
Joe Webber (Bay of Plenty)
Regan Ware (Bay of Plenty)
Ngarohi McGarvey-Black (Bay of Plenty)
Travelling reserve: Caleb Clarke (Auckland)