Four new players in NZ sevens squad

There is a new look New Zealand team for the Wellington leg of the IRB sevens series, starting on Friday.

Coach Gordon Tietjens has named 11 players for the tournament, including four new names.

Auckland's Isaiah Toeava, Otago's Edwin Cocker, North Harbour's Marc Camburn and Wellington's Tamati Ellison are in the squad.

Liam Messam will captain the young side that has only four players back from last year's contracted list.

One player is to be added because of injury concerns, especially out wide with Charles Baxter in doubt for the tournament.

Tietjens said he is likely to fill the final spot on Tuesday.

He said that with new faces comes some real enthusiasm and also a challenge for the Wellington tournament.

It also means a slightly different game plan and there is plenty of guidance for the new faces with players like Orene Ai'i and Roy Kinikinilau coming back into the team.

- NEWSTALK ZB