Four newcomers in sevens squad

4.00pm

Injuries to key players has seen four newcomers called into the New Zealand Sevens rugby squad for the world series.

Coach Gordon Tietjens said Craig De Goldi, Jared Going, Hayden Reid, Eric Rush and Karl Te Nana were unavailable for the first two tournaments in Dubai and South Africa next month due to injury.

Tietjens said he would be monitoring the recovery of the players and they would come back into consideration when they were fit.

The new faces in the squad are Bay of Plenty trio Charles Baxter, Nathaniel Walker and Liam Messam, and Auckland wing Iliesa Tanivula.

Five replacement players would join the squad this week as cover for the injured brigade: Jerome Kaino of Auckland, Roy Kinikinilau and Scott Waldrom of Wellington, Ross Martin of Bay of Plenty and Jason Tiatia of Canterbury.

The final 12 will be named on Saturday and the team fly to Dubai the following day.

The Dubai tournament is on December 6-7 with the South African tournament the following weekend in the coastal city of George.

New Zealand world series squad: Charles Baxter (Bay of Plenty), Craig De Goldi (Auckland), Jared Going (Northland), Tafai Ioasa (Wellington), Damian Karauna (Waikato), Liam Messam (Bay of Plenty), Dan Parkinson (Otago), Hayden Reid (North Harbour), Eric Rush (North Harbour), Iliesa Tanivula (Auckland), Karl Te Nana (North Harbour), Anthony Tuitavake (North Harbour), Amasio Valence (Auckland), Nathaniel Walker (Bay of Plenty), Justin Wilson (Auckland).

Replacement players to join the squad for fitness testing this week: Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Roy Kinikinilau (Wellington), Scott Waldrom (Wellington), Ross Martin (Bay of Plenty), Jason Tiatia (Canterbury).

World series schedule: Dubai, December 6-7; George, South Africa, Dec 13-14; Chile, January 10-11; Brisbane, February 1-2; Wellington, Feb 7-8; Hong Kong, March 28-30; Beijing, April 5-6; Kuala Lumpur, May 3-4; London, June 6-7; Cardiff, June 14-15.

- NZPA