New Zealand Sevens Coach Gordon Tietjens has named two new caps in his New Zealand Sevens side to compete at the Hertz Sevens in Wellington this weekend.
Wellington's 18-year-old Ardie Savea, the younger brother of Hurricane and former New Zealand Sevens player Julian Savea, will make his New Zealand Sevens debut in his home town.
Hawke's Bay's Mark Jackman will also don the New Zealand jersey for the first time. Jackman hails from Canterbury and is a product of the Christchurch Boys High School rugby fraternity.
Highlander and All Black Hosea Gear has also been selected to play in the tournament, after making himself available for selection for the Wellington leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series.
Tietjens said picking the side was challenging.
"All the players have really stepped it up a notch in the past few days and trained really well making this a very difficult team to pick.
"We love the support we get here in Wellington and this tournament is always one of the highlights on the HSBC Sevens World Series but this also makes it one of the toughest to win," he said.
2012 New Zealand Sevens Squad:
|
Toby |
Arnold |
Bay of Plenty |
|
Tomasi |
Cama |
Manawatu |
|
DJ |
Forbes |
Counties Manukau |
|
Hosea |
Gear |
Wellington |
|
Frank |
Halai |
Waikato |
|
Bryce |
Heem |
Auckland |
|
Mark |
Jackman |
Hawke's Bay |
|
Solomon |
King |
North Harbour |
|
Tim |
Mikkelson |
Waikato |
|
Charles |
Piutau |
Auckland |
|
Lote |
Raikabula |
Wellington |
|
Ardie |
Savea |
Wellington |