Invercargill teenager Alena Saili, fresh out of Southland GHS, is the only new cap in an experienced Black Ferns Sevens squad selected for the Sydney round of the HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens Series next week.
Head Coach Allan Bunting said the Sydney tournament was another opportunity to continue the teams goal for this series of building their foundations for next year and the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
"We had a great start to the series in Dubai, but we know that the rest of the world would have had some very valuable time in preparing for Sydney and that teams will be a lot more prepared, so we will have to take our game to another level to do well. Sydney is about building on the foundations we have created.
"We have decided to provide continuity to most for the players who went to Dubai while giving opportunities to younger players to learn and grow around the experienced ones.
"It's great to give Alena Saili this opportunity. Alena impressed hugely at the nationals a couple of weeks ago and has fitted in really well with the squad, along with Lyric Faleafaga. When she plays she doesn't look like someone who has just finished school. So I think it is a great opportunity for her to experience the next level, which is quite a step up, with no pressure on her from us, just to go and see and feel what it's like and she will adapt and learn when she is ready.
