New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has named four young newcomers in his squad to compete in the opening two rounds of the 2008/09 IRB Sevens World series in Dubai and George.
The reigning Series champions kick off their overall defence on 28-29 November at the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens, where they are also currently in possession of the main silverware after beating Fiji 31-21 in last year's Cup final.
Captain DJ Forbes returns and leads a squad that includes four other seasoned players in Tomasi Cama, Lote Raikabula, Zar Lawrence and Solomon King, but injuries to Edwin Cocker and Nigel Hunt have forced the coach to name four debutants in 21-year-old Paul Grant from Otago, 20-year-old Kurt Baker from Manawatu, 19-year-old Tim Nanai-Williams from Counties Manukau and the youngest member of the team, 18-year-old Julian Savea from Wellington.
The likes of Tim Mikkelson and Nafi Tuitavake return for their second season under Tietjens.
“We enjoyed a really good series last year and the challenge is to back that up again this year with the added interest created by the Rugby World Cup Sevens,” said Tietjens.
“We have picked a squad we believe can respond to this challenge which combines some of our really experienced Sevens players with some new, young players who will join the national team for the first time.”
Last year New Zealand won six of the eight events that make up the Series, including the first five in Dubai, South Africa, New Zealand, USA and Hong Kong, a run which extended to 47 matches unbeaten.
The highlight of this season will be the Rugby World Cup Sevens, to be played in Dubai's new purpose-built 'The Sevens' stadium, where next week's action also takes place.
New Zealand Sevens squad for Dubai and South Africa: Kurt Baker (Manawatu), Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau, captain), Solomon King (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Willie Rickards (Southland), Julian Savea (Wellington), Nafi Tuitavake (North Harbour), Paul Grant (Otago), Tim Nanai-Williams (Counties Manukau).
