Two new caps for Kiwis
Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:49
New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens has named two new caps in his 12-man team for the next two rounds of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series - in Hong Kong and Adelaide.
The new caps are 26-year-old Counties Manukau scrumhalf Chad Tuoro and 19-year-old North Harbour wing Nafi Tuitavake.
The team is currently having a four-day training camp at Mount Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty, before departing for Hong Kong on Saturday.
The Hong Kong tournament is on from March 28 to 30 and the Adelaide event on April 5 and 6.
Tuoro and Tuitavake have been with the wider New Zealand Sevens squad, but Hong Kong and Adelaide will be their first appearances in the IRB Sevens Series.
Tietjens said both players had worked very hard and played their way into the team.
"Chad is very experienced at provincial level, while Nafi has performed very well in all the camps to date and has earned his spot."
New Zealand Sevens veteran Tafai Ioasa and Afeleke Pelenise were unavailable for selection due to injury.
The side also includes Canterbury's Steven Yates, who will play in his last Sevens tournament for New Zealand in Adelaide.
Tietjens paid tribute to Yates, who will continue his career in Japan next month.
"Steven has given us exceptional service the last couple of years and has made an immense contribution to the team. We wish him all the best for the next chapter of his life," Tietjens said.
New Zealand heads up the IRB Sevens Series points table on 80 points, followed by South Africa (48 points), Fiji (44 points) and Samoa (38 points).
"The Hong Kong tournament is crucial because the winner earns 30 points, the most on offer by any tournament," Tietjens said.
"Even though we have won the first four tournaments, we cannot afford to be complacent and it is important that we continue to stay focused and continue that momentum," he added.
New Zealand: Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), Edwin Cocker (Auckland), DJ Forbes (Auckland, captain), Nigel Hunt (Wellington), Solomon King (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (North Harbour), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Rene Ranger (Northland), Chad Tuoro (Counties Manukau), Nafi Tuitavake (North Harbour), Victor Vito (Wellington) and Steven Yates (Canterbury).
