NZ Sevens teams named for LA tournament
- Dave Worsley
- 13 minutes ago
- 5 min read
The All Blacks and Black Ferns Sevens have both made a number of changes in the lead up to the World Series decider in Los Angeles, May 4-5).
For the second year in a row the World Series winner will be decided in a one-off tournament, just weeks after the Black Ferns Sevens secured the League title (for most points accumulated across the season).
The Los Angeles tournament is dubbed the World Championship, with the top eight teams from the men’s and women’s competition qualifying.
The Black Ferns Sevens are in Pool A against Canada, Japan and Great Britain, while the men are in a tough Pool B alongside Spain, Fiji and Australia. The top two teams in each pool will advance to Cup semi-finals.
Black Ferns Sevens Coach Cory Sweeney has had to make several changes to the side that won back-to-back tournaments in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Justine McGregor and Olive Watherston return to the travelling team after both making their debuts in December, while Le’Oxeayn Maiu’u is in line for her first international tournament along with Sky Super Rugby Aupiki winner Jaymie Kolose.
A knee injury to Manaia Nuku sees Risi Pouri-Lane stay with the team after originally announcing she would be joining the Black Ferns camp. Dhys Faleafaga, Alena Saili.
Theresa Setefano all forgo the final tournament of season with Black Ferns commitments, while Pouri-Lane, Jorja Miller and Stacey Waaka will join them in camp when they return from Los Angeles.
“We were always aware of the players that were keen to join the Black Ferns and have been supportive of that. The injury to Manaia left us light in the halfback position so after conversations with Bunts (Allan Bunting) and Risi we renegotiated her plan,” said Sweeney.
Netball convert Le’Oxeayn Maiu’u is in line to debut after joining the Black Ferns Sevens programme in September last year.
“We don’t really look at Le’Oxeayn as a new player – she has been with us for a while now, she has been playing in invitational tournaments, training day in and day out. She’s an exciting talent, in a similar vein to Kayla Ahki and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, the skills she brings from netball around aerial skills and speed; we will want to put her in space.”
Fresh from winning the Super Rugby Aupiki title with the Blues, Jaymie Kolose joins the squad with a potential debut incoming.
“Jaymie first came into our programme two years ago, fresh from touch. She is an exciting young athlete who has really developed over the past few years. She has a good connection within our team from playing in development tournaments and she is someone who could really make a name for herself in sevens."
The Black Ferns Sevens lost the semi final at last year’s Championship tournament in Madrid and Sweeney said that is something the squad learnt from.
“We have talked about Madrid internally – you always learn from times when you under perform. We are confident in our programme and that the team we have selected will be strong. It’s been an interesting tournament to prep for as there are a lot of unknowns with other teams and what players will be there or will have moved to XVs, we have taken the approach that we are preparing for full strength teams.”
Meanwhile All Blacks Sevens coach Tomasi Cama has welcomed the return of Akuila Rokolisoa and Kitona Vai for the last tournament of the season. Both have been sidelined with injuries throughout the season and eager to make their impact known.
“It has been a tough road to recovery for these two so everyone is excited to have them back. We can see how the team is feeding off the enthusiasm they are bringing, and we know that will carry through to next week,” said Cama.
“Akuila has battled through a few injuries and it’s great to have him available. He is one of the best players in the world; his instinct, strength and ability to create space for himself and others is special. It’s important we make sure he doesn’t try to overdo things on his return and support him back onto the world stage.”
Kitiona Vai has been sidelined for a year and returns to run out alongside his younger brother Codemeru.
“He has great rugby IQ and plays with a lot of emotion. He’s been pushing really hard, and we know he is motivated to go out there and show the world he is back.”
After making a debut in Cape Town, the versatile Jack Grey is set to get another cap, replacing the injured Joe Webber.
“Jack is a great communicator on the field, he works hard off the ball, is really fit and someone that brings a lot of versatility in terms of the positions he’ll be able to cover.”
Sam Howling also travels with the team to Los Angeles as fourteenth player and will debut if there are any injuries.
Cama said a focus in the build up to Los Angeles has been the mindset about consistently performing across the tournament.
“We have been building our weeks to train back-to-back days because we have had good performances on day one of tournaments and not backed them up on day two. At times when we have been under pressure, we go too individual so it’s about our players having the tools to deal with those big games.
Black Ferns Sevens team: (*denotes potential debutant)
2. Jorja Miller
3. Stacey Waaka
4. Mahina Paul
5. Sarah Hirini (C)
6. Michaela Brake
7. Risi Pouri-Lane
11. Maia Davis
13. Jazmin Felix-Hotham
23. Jaymie Kolose*
44. Justine McGregor
82. Olive Watherston
88. Kelsey Teneti
97. Le’Oxeayn Maiu’u*
Not available due to injury: Manaia Nuku, Shiray Kaka
Not available due to Black Ferns: Dhys Faleafaga, Alena Saili, Theresa Setefano
All Blacks Sevens team: (*denotes potential debutant)
1. Amanaki Nicole
2. Brady Rush
3. Tone Ng Shiu
4. Akuila Rokolisoa
5. Dylan Collier ©
7. Kitiona Vai
17. Jack Gray
22. Rob Rush
24. Ngarohi McGarvey-Black
25. Codemeru Vai
64. Regan Ware
75. Frank Vaenuku
81. Sofai Maka
88. Sam Howling*
Not available due to injury/illness: Joe Webber, Sione Molia, Andrew Knewstubb, Joey Taumateine, Oli Mathis, Xavier Tito-Harris, Lewis Ormond
Roderick Solo
Draw (all times in NZT)
4 May
5.22am Black Ferns Sevens v Great Britain
6.06am All Blacks Sevens v Fiji
8.23am Black Ferns Sevens v Japan
8.45am All Blacks Sevens v Spain
11.29am Black Ferns Sevens v Canada
11.51am All Blacks Sevens v Australia
5 May
Play- off matches