New Zealand sevens player Tim Mikkelson has been ruled out of this week's tournament in Wellington due to a groin injury.
The 2013 world sevens player of the year will be replaced by Wellington's Murphy Taramai in the squad who are looking to defend their Wellington crown.
This week's event, which starts on Friday, is the fourth of nine in the world series and New Zealand are in third place on the standings.
New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens has named a young squad, including four debutants, and the side need to keep up the pace on the international circuit so they can finish inside the top four at the end of the season to earn automatic qualification for next year's Rio Olympics.
Ticket sales have been slow for the sevens, which used to be one of the biggest parties on the calendar in the capital.
