Rugby : New Zealand Sevens squad for 2009 named

New Zealand Sevens Coach Gordon Tietjens today named his 17-man national squad for 2009.

Tietjens named an experienced line-up with Waikato’s Save Tokula the only new member of the squad. North Harbour’s Viliame Waqaseduadua and Wellington’s Tu Umaga Marshall both make a return to the team, Waqaseduadua having last played in Singapore in 2005 and Marshall in Hong Kong in 2006.

“The training camp was very competitive and all the boys challenged for positions. We have a lot of exciting young players coming through which looks very healthy for New Zealand rugby,” Tietjens said.

The squad will be captained by 2008 IRB and New Zealand Sevens Player of the Year DJ Forbes.

The squad of 17 will be narrowed down to a playing 12 for the NZI Sevens in Wellington on Waitangi weekend.

“Wellington is always a huge tournament for the fans and the team really enjoy playing at home. We are currently second on the World Series table and need to win in Wellington to claw back a few points from South Africa who are currently leading the series.”

The squad for the Rugby World Cup Sevens, which will be held in Dubai from March 5-7, will be selected separately and named towards the end of February.

2009 New Zealand Sevens squad: Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), Edwin Cocker (Auckland), DJ Forbes (Captain, Counties Manukau), Paul Grant (Otago), Nigel Hunt (Wellington), Solomon King (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), Tim Nanai Williams (Counties Manukau), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Willie Rickards (Southland), Julian Savea (Wellington), Save Tokula (Waikato), Chad Tuhoro (Counties Manukau), Nafi Tuitavake (North Harbour), Tu Umaga Marshall (Wellington), Viliame Waqaseduadua (North Harbour).