They are down on manpower but should be high on motivation.
The All Blacks Sevens embark on the last two legs of the World Series tomorrow night in Paris still searching for an elusive Cup final appearance. Achieving that goal would be a significant step towards moving up the table from fourth, though leaders South Africa will take their second title should they qualify for the Cup final.
Manawatu's Jamie Booth and Otago's Fa'asiu Fuatai, a 2013 New Zealand Under 20s rep as a wing, will debut for a depleted New Zealand, who are missing the likes of Scott Curry, Vilimoni Koroi, Dylan Collier and Beaudein Waaka.
"The team has come together well over the last two weeks and we've had a solid build-up in Paris over recent days. With nine players unavailable due to injury, we were presented with some selection challenges, but the team has come through and are looking forward to getting out on the field," says coach Scott Waldrom, who will hand the reins to Clark Laidlaw on June 1, not long after the final tournament in London.
"Your first international sevens tournament is always exciting, so this weekend is a big moment for Jamie and Fa'asiu. They've prepared well and I'm sure will take the opportunity to stake a place in the sevens programme going forward.
