Rugby: Tietjens calls in more new faces

New Zealand rugby sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has had to draw on more new talent to prepare for tournaments in Hong Kong and Adelaide because of injury or unavailability of seven national squad members.

A 17-man squad has assembled in Mount Maunganui to prepare for the next two legs of the International Rugby Board world series, including newcomers Pehi Te Whare and Jordan Puletua. Te Whare is a member of the Highlanders wider training group.

Four players were not considered due to injury - Edwin Cocker (broken leg), Willie Rickards (hamstring), Tu Umaga Marshall (back) and Viliame Waqaseduadua (concussion).

Also, national squad member Tim Mikkelson has been called up in to the Chiefs squad while Auckland's Tim Nanai Williams and North Harbour's Nafi Tuitavake have been selected in the training squad for the New Zealand under-20 team to be announced next week.

The New Zealand squad of 12 will be finalised later this week and leave for Hong Kong on Saturday.

The Hong Kong and Adelaide tournaments will both be held over three days, on March 27-29 and April 3-5 respectively.

New Zealand training squad
Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), DJ Forbes (Captain, Counties Manukau), Paul Grant (Otago), Luke Hamilton (North Harbour), Joe Hill (Wellington), Nigel Hunt (Bay of Plenty), Solomon King (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), Lance McDonald (Bay of Plenty), Jordan Puletua (Auckland), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Julian Savea (Wellington), Ben Souness (Taranaki), Tutu Tairea (Auckland), Pehi Te Whare (Southland), Save Tokula (Waikato), Chad Tuoro (Counties Manukau).

- NZPA