Competition for a place in the New Zealand Sevens side continues this week when 19 players will battle it out for 12 spots in the national team.
New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens will name the squad of 12 for the opening IRB Sevens tournaments in Dubai and South Africa at the conclusion of the camp at Mt Maunganui on 23 November.
The kiwis are the world champions after winning a seventh IRB Sevens World Series title in June, following tournament wins in George (South Africa), London and Edinburgh during the 2006/2007 season.
New to the Sevens environment are Manawatu’s Aaron James and Waikato player Tim Mikkelson while Northland’s Aden Dewes returns from injury. Not attending the camp is Afeleke Pelenise who is suffering from a knee injury.
New Zealand training squad: Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), Edwin ****er (Auckland), Israel Dagg (Hawke’s Bay), Aden Dewes (Northland), DJ Forbes (Auckland), Jason Hona (Bay of Plenty), Nigel Hunt (Wellington), Tafai Ioasa (Hawke’s Bay), Aaron James (Manawatu), James Kamana (Waikato), Solomon King (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (North Harbour), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Lote Raikabula (Hawke’s Bay), Rene Ranger (Northland), Nick Thomson (Canterbury), Albert Vulivuli (Waikato), Victor Vito (Wellington), Steven Yates (Canterbury)