New Zealand sevens rugby coach Gordon Tietjens has more experience in his latest squad than in the side that retained the world sevens circuit title earlier this year.
The availability of Auckland pair Orene Ai'i and Amasio Raoma Valance for the rest of this season's tournaments from January 4 has provided
Tietjens an opportunity of striking a hat-trick.
New Zealand won the past two world circuit titles.
Ai'i and Valance were committed to the Super 12 earlier this year.
However, they and Craig de Goldi and Justin Wilson seem excess to the Blues' needs this season, which has enabled Tietjens to add more experience into his squad of 16 named today.
Back in the side to be led by Eric Rush are Damian Karauna, Chris Masoe, Jared Going and Jason Tiatia who .
The side features Otago flanker Josh Blackie, who was engaged by the Highlanders but is currently injured and expected to be out of action for another six weeks, and other newcomers Alan Bunting (Bay of Plenty), Scott Waldrom (Wellington) and Anthony Koonwaiyou.
Bunting helped Bay of Plenty to reach the national sevens tournament last month, Waldrom was one of the best performers for Wellington and Koonwaiyou, a national schools representative, impressed for Auckland.
Tietjens will take 12 players to South America when the world circuit resumes with the Chile sevens at Santiago on January 4-5 and Argentina sevens at Mar Del Plata on January 11-12.
The squad will assemble in Auckland between Christmas and New Year and leave for South America on January 2.
The circuit moves to Brisbane for the Australian tournament in Brisbane on February 2-3 and then Wellington on February 8-9.
New Zealand lead the circuit this season after winning the South African sevens in Durban.
However they aren't likely to have it their way in South America, where Fiji will be in force following the return of Waisale Serevi, Vili Satala and Vilimoni Delasau to the team.
Squad: Eric Rush (captain, Nth Harbour), Craig de Goldi (Auckland), Chris Masoe (Taranaki), Tafai Ioasa (Hawke's Bay), Damian Karauna (Waikato), Jared Going (Northland), Orene Ai'i (Auckland), Amasio Raoma Valance (Auckland), Justin Wilson (Auckland), Hayden Reid (North Harbour), Josh Blackie (Otago), Ross Martin (Bay of Plenty), Jason Tiatia (Canterbury), Scott Waldrom (Wellington), Alan Bunting (Bay of Plenty), Anthony Koonwaiyou (Auckland).
- NZPA
New Zealand sevens rugby coach Gordon Tietjens has more experience in his latest squad than in the side that retained the world sevens circuit title earlier this year.
The availability of Auckland pair Orene Ai'i and Amasio Raoma Valance for the rest of this season's tournaments from January 4 has provided
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