Rugby sevens: New blood in NZ camp

Gordon Tietjens today named a 22-man rugby training squad as he prepares to defend the sevens world series title, but the master coach will be without six leading players.

Tietjens has introduced six newcomers to the week-long training camp in Mount Maunganui and has a reputation for moulding talent.

He will need to draw on that expertise as he compiles a 12-man New Zealand squad missing five key players for the opening legs in Dubai and South Africa next month.

Snapped up by Super 14 franchises are last year's skipper Liam Messam, Tanerau Latimer, Isaia Toeava, rampaging wing Roy Kinikinilau, and Tamati Ellison who was undoubtedly one of the series' stars last season.

Speedy wing Viliame Waqaseduadua will also join the Super 14.

The newcomers include Bay of Plenty first five-eighth Mike Delany, Otago winger Hayden Pedersen, Canterbury winger Nick Thomson, North Harbour winger Zar Lawrence, Canterbury winger Alfred Pelenise and Auckland loose forward Gary Saifoloi.

Returning to the squad from the 2003/04 season are Matua Parkinson, Colin Bourke and Justin Wilson.

"The mix of players with international experience and those who have shown tremendous talent at other levels of the game will make for a competitive camp and tough selection of the final squad for the first two tournaments," Tietjens said.

The squad of 12 for the first two sevens tournaments will be named later this month.

* New Zealand sevens training squad:

Mana Ashford (Auckland), Charles Baxter (Bay of Plenty), Colin Bourke (Bay of Plenty), Marc Camburn (North Harbour), Edwin Cocker (Otago), Mike Delany (Bay of Plenty), Jason Hona (Bay of Plenty), Nigel Hunt (Wellington), Tafai Ioasa (Hawke's Bay), Tomasi Komainaua (Manawatu), Zar Lawrence (North Harbour), George Naoupu (Canterbury), Lifeimi Mafi (Taranaki), Matua Parkinson (Bay of Plenty), Hayden Pedersen (Otago), Alfred Pelenise (Canterbury), Hayden Reid (Bay of Plenty), Gary Saifoloi (Auckland), Nick Thomson (Canterbury), Amasio Valence (Auckland), Brent Wilson (North Harbour), Justin Wilson (Wellington).

- NZPA