Curry to captain sevens squad

Reporoa can lay claim to another high-achieving sportsman, after Scott Curry was named the captain of the New Zealand sevens squad for next year's Olympics.

Curry, 27, who grew up in the town and attended Reporoa College, said it was a huge time for the sport.

"This is a huge opportunity.

"The fact that it is probably the biggest year for sevens rugby that has ever been to date because in just under 12 months we will be sending a team away to the Rio Olympics, [what's most exciting is the] pure fact to even be involved in the rugby sevens at the moment."

He said he had always worked towards being the best player he could be, but captaincy was not something he had been actively striving for over his five seasons in the squad.

"I was just really stoked to make the team to be honest and I just slowly chipped away at being a consistent member of the touring team, then set other goals - to be in the starting seven and then one of the better players in the circuit and it sort of just evolved like that.

"Probably earlier this year was the first time I got the chance at captaining the team when DJ [Forbes] went down injured. It wasn't really anything I had looked toward until then, but since then it had been in the back of my mind a little bit."

He said the biggest change since being named captain was an increase in off-field responsibilities, but his on-field focus stayed the same.

"There's a lot more in terms of off-field stuff with media and so that definitely ramps up, but on the field I just focus on being the best player I can be."

Curry said he makes it home to Reporoa "whenever I can" and was looking forward to playing Australia at the Rotorua International Stadium next month. He credits his rural upbringing as a factor in his success.

"A rural upbringing definitely helps out, you are always outside playing sport and stuff whenever we got the chance at school ..."

Liam Messam, also from Rotorua,was named in the squad.