Sevens: Newcomers feature in Kiwi squad

Zar Lawrence takes a hit at December's Dubai Sevens tournament. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has named a clutch of newcomers in his 16-strong training squad to prepare for the Wellington and Las Vegas legs of the IRB world sevens series next month.

New faces include Counties Manukau's Fritz Lee, Ruki Tipuna (Bay of Plenty), Taranaki's Beauden Barrett and Leka Tupuola from Wellington.

Tietjens named his squad after the national sevens tournament in Queenstown over the weekend.

"We saw some good sevens rugby in Queenstown and despite the tough weather conditions, it was a very competitive tournament. I was impressed with a few players and the training squad I have selected has a good mix of experienced and new players," Tietjens said.

"This is a big season for us with the Commonwealth Games later in the year, and that is what we will be working towards as we play the next six tournaments in the world series."

The squad assembles in Mount Maunganui on January 19 for a four-day camp, and the 2010 national contracted squad will be named later this month.

The players re-assemble in Wellington on January 28 ahead of the Wellington sevens on Waitangi weekend, and the squad will then be narrowed down to 12.

The squad is: Toby Arnold (Bay of Plenty), Kurt Baker (Manawatu),

Beauden Barrett (Taranaki), Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau), Paul Grant (Otago), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato),

Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), Fritz Lee (Counties Manukau), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Ben Souness (Taranaki), Sherwin Stowers (Counties Manukau), Ruki Tipuna (Bay of Plenty), Nafi Tuitavake (North Harbour), Save Tokula (Waikato), Leka Tupuola (Wellington).

- NZPA