Sevens: Morrow's meteoric rise to Dubai

Sean Horan says injuries have led to the door being opened.

Three weeks ago Morgan Morrow had never played a game of sevens.

But on Sunday she flies to Dubai with the New Zealand team to contest round one of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series.

Not surprisingly, it is all rather surreal for the 25-year-old Taupo Intermediate School teacher.

"I still can't really believe it. It is still kind of a blur at the moment," Morrow said. "I think when I get to the airport it will become quite real but it has just been a rushed three weeks. I have had to take it step-by-step which has been good.

"Hopefully in Dubai, I will learn a lot of new things. The biggest challenges are tackling definitely, and the little technical things in the ruck, staying low and leading the defence."

Morrow has been a New Zealand rep touch player for three years and played 15-a-side for the first time for the Bay of Plenty Volcanix in this winter's women's provincial championship.

New Zealand Women's head coach and Tauranga resident Sean Horan says injuries to key players Huriana Manual, Kayla McAlister, Michaela Blyde and Vaine Greig have opened the door for Morrow and former Kiwi Fern Charlotte Scanlan to grab the opportunity.

"Morgs made the decision to give rugby a crack," Horan said. "Touchies have got great vision, high work ethic and a good skill set that works really well for sevens. She knows how to put players into big openings in the defence. That's what I'm looking forward to from her.

"She brings a lot more height and size than we are used to in our backs. She is not afraid to go in the dark spaces and sometimes that is quite hard to coach."

With 2016 Olympic qualification, the major goal for this year's world series, Horan has more depth than ever to call upon after a talent identification programme run over the last two years.

"All the time and effort the players have put into the game over those two years is coming to fruition now. We are going pretty well when you look at their skill set, their physical side, their recovery side and their professional side."

-The All Blacks Sevens squad took on Bay of Plenty in final trials at Mount Maunganui College yesterday before Gordon Tietjens names his team for Dubai this afternoon. Report/photos, Page 28