New Zealand Sevens head coach Gordon Tietjens includes Sonny Bill Williams in his wider squad of 22 players for the Wellington Sevens (30-31 January).
Williams is joined by three other rookies in Counties Manukau pair, Josh Van Lieshout and Sione Molia, and Hawke’s Bay’s Billy Ropiha who all impressed at the Bayleys National Sevens in Rotorua last weekend.
Van Lieshout and Sione Molia helped Counties Manukau to a first Bayley National Sevens title since 1995 after a stunning 54-14 victory over North Harbour in Sunday’s final.
Veteran Kurt Baker returns as a contracted squad member for 2016. But injury prevented head coach Gordon Tietjens picking Scott Curry, Declan O’Donnell, DJ Forbes and Sherwin Stowers, while Liam Messam was not available due to rugby commitments in Japan.
The defending champions, who are bidding for a hat-trick of home titles following wins in 2014 and 2015, will assemble in the country’s capital on Thursday, with Tietjens announcing his team four days later. They face Russia, Scotland and South Africa in Pool A at the Wellington Sevens.
The New Zealand Sevens team for the Sydney Sevens, the fourth leg of the 2015-16 World Rugby Sevens Series, will be named on Monday 1 February.
New Zealand Sevens squad for Wellington: Kurt Baker (Taranaki), Dylan Collier (Waikato), Sam Dickson (Canterbury), Akira Ioane (Auckland), Rieko Ioane (Auckland), Gillies Kaka (Hawke’s Bay), Antonio Kiri Kiri (Manawatu), Ben Lam (Auckland), Josh Van Lieshout (Counties Manukau), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Sione Molia (Counties Manukau), Lewis Ormond (Taranaki), Augustine Pulu (Counties Manukau), Billy Ropiha (Hawke’s Bay), Ardie Savea (Wellington), Teddy Stanaway (Bay of Plenty), Isaac Te Aute (Bay of Plenty), Isaac Te Tamaki (Waikato), Beaudein Waaka (Taranaki), Regan Ware (Waikato), Sonny Bill Williams (Counties Manukau), Joe Webber (Waikato).
