New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens has plumped for experience as he seeks to win the third round of the world rugby sevens series in Wellington this weekend.
New Zealand won in Wellington three times in a row from 2003-05 but have suffered a drought since, with Fiji andSamoa waltzing off with the title in 2006 and 2007 respectively.
Having started with a roar in world series this year - New Zealand have won the opening two rounds in Dubai and South Africa - Tietjens is keen to keep his juggernaut rolling smoothly.
"Wellington is a huge tournament for the fans as well as the team, and that is why I have selected an experienced side," he said.
"We got our new campaign off to a winning start in December and the challenge is to continue that momentum in front of our home supporters."
A preliminary squad of 13 has been named. It will be reduced to 12 once the fitness and availability of Nigel Hunt, who injured his ankle at training yesterday, is clarified.
There is only one one potential debutant in the squad - Chad Tuoro from Counties Manukau.
The squad will be led by 2007 New Zealand sevens player of the year, DJ Forbes, who has also been named as the captain for the remainder of the current series.
The 2007 world sevens player of the year, Afeleke Pelenise, isn't available as he is recovering from knee surgery.
* NZ SEVENS SQUAD
T. Cama (Manawatu), E. Cocker (Auckland), I. Dagg (Hawke's Bay), DJ Forbes (Auckland, captain), N. Hunt (Wellington), T. Ioasa (Hawke's Bay), S. King (Bay of Plenty), Z. Lawrence (North Harbour), L. Raikabula (Manawatu), R. Ranger (Northland), C. Tuoro (Counties Manukau), V. Vito (Wellington) and S. Yates (Canterbury). One player to be omitted.
