Sevens: Three changes for women's squad

The New Zealand sevens side celebrate winning the second round of the series in Sao Paulo. Photo / Getty

The New Zealand Women's Sevens team for the fourth leg of the world series in Canada next week features three changes from the side that won in Atlanta last month.

They are the return of forwards Carla Hohepa, Charlotte Scanlan and replacement back Gayle Broughton. Ruby Tui was not considered due to injury, while Morgan Morrow and Alexis Tapsell made way for Hohepa and Scanlan, who have recovered from injuries.

After winning the first three rounds of the World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai, Sao Paulo and Atlanta, the team will be looking to make the upcoming Langford tournament their fourth in a row.

Coach Sean Horan has served up no surprises in picking an experienced team and said he had to make some tough decisions while naming the squad.

"It was honestly the hardest team I have ever had to select and that's just because of the internal competitive environment the players are creating."

After punishing home side USA 50-12 in the Atlanta final last month, New Zealand team will be coming into the tournament with much confidence and will face Fiji, Spain and England in their three pool matches.

Horan said although the side had trained well all week and was looking in great shape to do well in Canada, the team had still not reached its full potential.

"We are looking for a continuation of the growth that we are showing. We are currently leading on the points table for the year, but we have a clear goal in terms of overall performance and we are still not there."

New Zealand lead the series with 60 points, Canada and Australia are second equal on 48, while France are fourth with 38 and the United States fifth with 36.

The squad:
Honey Hireme, Carl Hohepa (Waikato), Hazel Tubic (Counties Manukau), Charlotte Scanlan, Tyla Nathan-Wong, Portia Woodman, Kayla McAlister (Auckland), Sarah Goss (c), Selica Winiata (Manawatu), Gayle Broughton, Michaela Blyde (Taranaki), Kelly Brazier (Bay of Plenty)

The playing schedule:
Pool play: Saturday April 18
12:06pm (NZT 7.06am, April 19) NZ v Fiji
3.06pm (NZT 10.06am) NZ v Spain
6.06pm (NZT 1.06pm) NZ v England
Finals: Sunday April 19