Rugby: Taramai goes from spectator to player

New Zealand sevens player Tim Mikkelson has been ruled out of this week's tournament in Wellington due to a groin injury. Photo / File.

Murphy Taramai spent last year's Sevens Wellington tournament in the crowd dressed as a member of the band OutKast.

This time around he will run on to the field wearing the black jersey after he was called in to New Zealand's 12-strong squad for this week's contest following Tim Mikkelson's withdrawal due to a groin injury.

Taramai, who played in the last two world series tournaments in Dubai and South Africa, was originally one of four players from the wider squad who were told earlier in the week they had missed selection for Wellington.

But New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens turned Taramai's week around when he informed him on Tuesday night that he was Mikkelson's replacement.

"To get the opportunity to get back up and play is huge," Taramai said. "It's going to be some big shoes to fill."

Taramai is a born-and-bred Upper Hutt lad and the 22-year-old said watching New Zealand take the title last year was pretty special.

"The atmosphere was awesome. It was raining but everyone still got out for the final."

Now there's a chance he could be involved in the showpiece game on Saturday night and the biggest challenge he will face today is arranging tickets for his family and friends.

"I've got a few cousins coming as well [and their] partners. My partner will be there, her mates and a few of my mates too will be there; so there's quite a few of them."

Taramai plays as a flanker for the Upper Hutt club in the 15-a-side game. He also spent time in Australia from 2011-2012 where he played league in Penrith and the Gold Coast before returning to New Zealand.

Tietjens has five players - Dylan Collier, Rieko Ioane, Jack Goodhue, Beaudein Waaka and Taramai - in his squad who have never experienced the Wellington tournament, which is the most he could remember.

"It's a dream come true for them to play [in Wellington]. We only play one tournament a year in New Zealand in the All Blacks Sevens team and this is their opportunity," he said.

"They're excited and they're talented enough. They've all played big-match rugby."

Given Mikkelson's experience, Tietjens said there was a temptation to call upon veterans like Tomasi Cama or Lote Raikabula but he has an eye on development with next year's Rio Olympics fast approaching.

New Zealand also boast players like skipper DJ Forbes, Scott Curry, Sherwin Stowers and Sam Dickson and they all know the score when it comes to the pressures of playing in Wellington.

New Zealand begin their campaign at 2.08pm tomorrow with a Pool B game against Canada before meeting Papua New Guinea. They round out day one with a clash against England that should decide who will finish as the top qualifier in their group.

Wellington is the fourth tournament in the nine-stop world series and New Zealand come into the event in third on the overall standings. They need to finish inside the top four this season to secure direct qualification for the Olympics.

3 things about this year's sevens

Injury woes
Tim Mikkelson will miss this week's tournament in Wellington and next week's trip to Las Vegas due to his groin injury. He is expected to return for the Hong Kong event next month.

Minnows return
Papua New Guinea, who will meet New Zealand in pool play tomorrow, are returning to Wellington for the first time since 2011. The minnows qualified after beating tournament regulars Tonga at the Oceania Sevens in Noosa.

16th Wellington sevens
This year's tournament is the 16th edition of the sevens in Wellington after it was first hosted in the capital in 2000. The tournament has since become the city's largest sporting event and contributes more than $6 million to the local economy each year.