He played in the New Zealand development team under Tietjens at the Central Coast Sevens last month and says he is now comfortable in the environment.
"Being confident and playing my own game is key, not shying away just because you are playing with all the big names who are the faces of sevens for New Zealand," Te Aute said. "I see sevens as a pathway to open many, many more doors for me, not just sevens but fifteens as well."
Meanwhile, Stanaway has made a remarkable comeback after a severe concussion last winter playing club rugby.
"I took this year off to get my head right and did everything but rugby. I was still suffering some symptoms earlier this year so decided to step back from the Steamers because of it and have some family time," he said.
"I wanted to give myself at least a year without symptoms so I could continue carrying on playing for another five or seven years, or else risk it and get another knock and potentially hang up the boots like a few of the other boys.
"I kept ticking the boxes, kept fit and sharp with my skills and then by the time I felt I was right it was sevens season. I decided to give it a run at the Mount tournament (this month)."
Ironically after his long lay-off after his head injury, Stanaway copped a nasty knock his first game back.
"I thought sevens was a little less physical but that proved to be not the case as I got five stitches in my eyebrow and a black eye for a week. Obviously the head is all right."
Women's team named
The New Zealand Women's Sevens team to play in the opening tournament of the international HSBC Women's Sevens Series in Dubai has been named after a camp at Mount Maunganui this week.
There is one new cap in the side with the selection of Niall Williams, sister of Sonny Bill Williams.
"She's an amazing athlete similar to her brother. She's worked very hard over the last nine months to really make this happen," head coach Sean Horan said. "She's a very powerful and skilful player, coming from a touch background so that's good. Physically she's tough so we're excited. We're not expecting fireworks straight away, but she has real potential and we see a big future for her."
NZ team: Ruby Tui (Canterbury), Hazel Tubic (Counties Manukau), Jordon Webber (Waikato); Sarah Goss (capt) (Manawatu), Gayle Broughton (Taranaki), Tyla Nathan-Wong (Auckland), Kelly Brazier (Bay of Plenty), Katarina Whata-Simpkins (Wellington), Portia Woodman (Auckland), Williams (Auckland), Michaela Blyde (Taranaki), Shiray Tane (Waikato).
Several players were unavailable through injury: Charlotte Scanlan (shoulder), Kayla McAlister (foot), Stacey Waaka (shoulder), Lesley Ketu (ankle), Alexis Tapsell (neck), Selica Winiata (back).
