NZ sevens squad for 2005 named

New Zealand rugby sevens coach Gordon Tietjens today named several debutants in his 15-man squad for 2005.

Newcomers include Auckland's Isaiah Toeava, Canterbury's George Naoupu, North Harbour duo Marc Camburn and Villiame Waqasaduadua, Otago's Edwin Cocker and Wellington's Tamati Ellison and Nigel Hunt.

"I was really impressed with the standard of the players' fitness at this weekend's camp," Tietjens said in a statement.

"There are such a lot of talented players available and selecting the squad wasn't easy,"

Tietjens originally named 26 players after the national sevens tournament in Queenstown earlier this month.

New Zealand are currently tied in first equal place with England and Fiji in the International Rugby Board series standings ahead of the fourth tournament in Wellington from February 4-5.

New Zealand sevens squad: Orene Ai'i, Isaiah Toeava, Amasio Valence (Auckland), Charles Baxter, Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty), George Naoupu (Canterbury), Marc Camburn, Hayden Reid, Villiame Waqasaduadua (North Harbour), Edwin Cocker (Otago), Liam Messam (captain, Waikato), Tamati Ellison, Nigel Hunt, Tafai Ioasa, Roy Kinikinilau (Wellington).

- NZPA