All Black Pulu included in NZ Sevens squad
The team of 12 players for Dubai will be named next week Tuesday.
New Zeland Sevens head coach Gordon Tietjens said the thinking behind taking 14 players was to provide further incentive for all players to push for places in the final 12. He will follow the same format all season.
"It's for all those players to put pressure on others at training. Knowing you're not in the starting 12 you can get complacent and lose focus," said Tietjens. "I want pressure put on every individual in all the teams we name throughout the year.
"For training it's great to have two teams of sevens up against each which again creates more competition."
Tietjens said he has been impressed with how quickly Pulu has adapted to Sevens having not played the shortened game before.
"He's a fine rugby player. He's come on in leaps and bounds in the time he has been with us. The improvement has been immense this week. This is a great opportunity for him to put his hand up to have a crack at other teams this season.
"He's got very good vision. He's quick off the mark. He's quick to spot a gap. He's going to keep teams honest and he's very strong and physical."
He had high praise for Waikato speedster Regan Ware as well.
"He's the quickest player in the team. He's a great defender and attacker. It's important we have a player like Regan out wide who can score tries from out of nothing, beating a man one-on-one so he's a good player to have in the squad.”
Dubai has not been a happy hunting ground for the New Zealand in recent years, but Tietjens said the team was determined to start this critical new season well.
"I have set a goal for this team; let's go and win Dubai. Let's give it our best shot. We may or may not win, but I'd like to think we come out of this tournament with distinction, that we are on the improve. We have prepared well. We have planned well. Now we have to perform. An injury free side, no excuses really, and ready to perform."
New Zealand are drawn in Pool C and play France and Portugal before finishing the day against USA who ended last season by winning the London Sevens.
New Zealand: Dylan Collier, Scott Curry, Sam Dickson, DJ Forbes, Tim Mikkelson, Declan O’Donnell, Lewis Ormond, Augustine Pulu, Teddy Stanaway, Sherwin Stowers, Isaac Te Tamaki, Beaudein Waaka, Regan Ware, Joe Webber.
