Sevens: Tietjens names trial squad

An ear infection will prevent New Zealand sevens coach Gordon Tietjens travelling with the team when it leaves for the Hong Kong tournament on Sunday. Photo / Getty Images.

New Zealand sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has stuck with what he knows in naming his extended squad ahead of next month's World Cup in Moscow.

The 19-strong squad includes 14 players who took part in the 2012/13 sevens world series. Ben Lam was not considered because of injury.

"We've called on a core group of players who excelled during the recent series as well as others who have played in previous seasons,'' Tietjens said

"Competition for the final 12 places will be tough and it won't be an easy decision. The World Cup only comes around once every four years so it's one tournament every sevens player really wants to play in. We haven't won since 2001 so we certainly have our sights on doing well in Moscow.

"It's also a really important step in our journey to Rio in 2016 so we will be working hard to make sure our preparation is right and that our players have the physical and mental toughness to do well in a pinnacle event.''

The squad will assemble in Mount Maunganui next Tuesday for a three-day camp.

Tietjens will name his world cup line-up on June 7. The New Zealand women's side will be named on the same day.

Trial squad: Pita Ahki (North Harbour), Toby Arnold (Bay of Plenty), Kurt Baker (Taranaki), Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), Scott Curry (Manawatu), Sam Dickson (Canterbury), DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau), Bryce Heem (Tasman), Gillies Kaka (Hawke's Bay), Rocky Khan (Auckland), Fritz Lee (Counties Manukau), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Waisake Naholo (Taranaki), Patrick Osborne (Canterbury), Lote Raikabula (Wellington), David Raikuna (North Harbour), Trinity Spooner-Neera (Hawke's Bay), Sherwin Stowers (Counties Manukau), Belgium Tuatagaloa (Canterbury)