New Zealand rugby sevens supremo Gordon Tietjens has given another four youngsters the chance to stamp their mark on the world stage.
The 10th edition of the world sevens series kicks off in Dubai on November 28-29 with New Zealand seeking a ninth title.
Fiji are the only
other nation to have won the series, breaking Tietjens' stranglehold in the 2005/06 season.
Tietjens' eye for talent is celebrated - Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen are the two best known players that he has unleashed on an unsuspecting rugby public and who went on to achieve greatness in the 15-man code with the All Blacks.
The four sevens debutants this season are Paul Grant, 21, from Otago, Kurt Baker, 20, from Manawatu, Tim Nanai-Williams, 19, from Counties Manukau and the youngest member of the team, Julian Savea, 18, from Wellington.
"We enjoyed a really good series last year and the challenge is to back that up again this year with the added interest created by the sevens World Cup," Tietjens said after today revealing his team for the first two rounds in Dubai and South Africa.
"We have picked a squad we believe can respond to this challenge which combines some of our really experienced players with some new, young players who will join the national team for the first time."
The highlight of the season will be the sevens World Cup, separate from the eight-round world series, which be held in a purpose built 50,000 capacity stadium in Dubai, named The Sevens from March 5-7.
New Zealand squad for Dubai and South Africa: Kurt Baker (Manawatu), Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau, captain), Solomon King (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Willie Rickards (Southland), Julian Savea (Wellington), Nafi Tuitavake (North Harbour), Paul Grant (Otago), Tim Nanai-Williams (Counties Manukau).
Auckland's Edwin Cocker and Bay of Plenty's Nigel Hunt were not considered due to injury.
- NZPA
