Tietjens unveils initial sevens squad

Gordon Tietjens

New Zealand sevens rugby coach Gordon Tietjens today named a squad of 31 for a four-day trial camp, starting at Mt Maunganui tomorrow.

It is the first of two camps before Tietjens settles on a 12-man squad for the first two tournaments of the 2006-2007 world series, in Dubai and South Africa, in December.

Tietjens said the search was on for New Zealand's next group of sevens players.

"I have seen a lot of rugby since we came back from our last tournament in London in June and the players who will trial this week have shown special qualities during the Air New Zealand Cup and provincial development competitions.

"This camp is an opportunity for these players to press their claims to become contenders for the New Zealand sevens team."

Current New Zealand sevens squad members Cory Jane, Alando Soakai and Dwayne Sweeney will not attend the trial because of their recent Air New Zealand Cup commitments.

Other squad members such as Craig Hudson, Nigel Hunt and Tu Umaga-Marshall will also not attend the trial due to injury and medical reasons.

New Zealand sevens trial squad: Cory Aporo (Bay of Plenty), Charles Baxter (Bay of Plenty), Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), Edwin Cocker (Otago), Asipeli Dauwai (Waikato), Lance Easton (Counties-Manukau), DJ Forbes (Auckland), Jarek Goebel (Auckland), Kane Hancy (Counties Manukau), Jarrad Hoeata (Taranaki), Tafai Ioasa (Hawke's Bay), Solomon King (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (North Harbour), Watisoni Lotawa (Southland), James Maher (Counties-Manukau), Lachie Munro (Auckland), Jared Payne (Waikato), Alfred Pelenise (Canterbury), Siale Piutau (Counties Manukau), Lote Raikabula (Hawke's Bay), Rene Ranger (Northland), Josh Rauluni (Bay of Plenty), Hayden Reid (Bay of Plenty), Willie Rickards (Southland), Tua Saseve (North Harbour), Stephen Setephano (Waikato), Nick Thomson (Canterbury), Chad Tuoro (Auckland), Scott Waldrom (Taranaki), James Wilson (Southland), Justin Wilson (Hawke's Bay).

- NZPA