Fresh faces in Tietjens' squad
Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:29
New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens has named a 16-strong national training squad in preparation for the Wellington and Las Vegas legs of the International Rugby Board Sevens World Series next month.
Tietjens named his squad after the National Sevens tournament held in Queenstown over the weekend.
Newcomers include Counties Manukau's Fritz Lee, Bay of Plenty's Ruki Tipuna, Taranaki's Beauden Barrett and Leka Tupuola from Wellington.
"We saw some good Sevens in Queenstown and despite the tough weather conditions it was a very competitive tournament. I was impressed with a few players and the training squad I have selected has a good mix of experienced and new players," Tietjens said.
"This is a big season for us with the Commonwealth Games later in the year and that is what we will be working towards as we play the next six tournaments in the World Series."
The squad will assemble in Mount Maunganui next Tuesday, January 19, for a four-day camp with the 2010 national contracted squad to be named later this month.
The players will re-assemble in Wellington on Thursday, January 28, ahead of the Wellington Sevens on Waitangi weekend. The squad will then be narrowed down to a playing 12 for the Wellington and Las Vegas tournaments.
"Wellington is always an exciting tournament for both the fans and the players. We have had a great start in the series with wins in Dubai and George and we hope to continue that form going into our home tournament," said Tietjens.
New Zealand squad: Toby Arnold (Bay of Plenty), Kurt Baker (Manawatu), Beauden Barrett (Taranaki), Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau), Paul Grant (Otago), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), Fritz Lee (Counties Manukau), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Ben Souness (Taranaki), Sherwin Stowers (Counties Manukau), Ruki Tipuna (Bay of Plenty), Nafi Tiutavake (North Harbour), Save Tokula (Waikato), Leka Tupuola (Wellington).
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