Preview: Edinburgh Sevens
With an eighth IRB Sevens World Series title safely wrapped up in London, New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens is taking the opportunity to blood some fresh young talent at the season-ending Edinburgh Sevens this weekend.
With an eighth IRB Sevens World Series title safely wrapped up in London, New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens is taking the opportunity to blood some fresh young talent at the season-ending Edinburgh Sevens this weekend.
With next year's Rugby World Cup Sevens fast approaching, Tietjens is torn between wanting to finish another fine season on a high and the need to test new players in the toughest of environments and David Smith and Tim Mikkelson are named in his squad alongside Kendrick Lynn and Ben Nowells, who made their debuts last week.
Add to the mix 19-year old Israel Dagg, Nafi Tuitavake and Chad Tuoro and there is a very inexperienced element to the squad to compliment the steely but dwindling core supplied by captain DJ Forbes, Lote Raikabula, Tomasi Cama, Nigel Hunt and Solomon King. Zar Lawrence has returned to New Zealand, along with the injured Edwin Cocker.
“We'd love to go out on a high but I've got some young players here and it's a chance for them to impress ahead of next year. All of them have ambitions to be at the World Cup so it's a great opportunity for me to see what they can give me in a Sevens tournament,” said Tietjens.
“[Samoan-born] David Smith's come in, he's a very exciting player and he's only just become eligible for New Zealand and it's exciting for him to play in his first black jersey. The conditioning will be difficult for him and I'll pick and choose the games I play him in but he's a class footballer and he'll be a handful for the sides he plays against.”
In other team news, Australia coach Bill Millard has drafted James Lew into his squad in place of Damon Murphy.
For England, Ben Foden, Lee Dickson and Rob Webber leave the squad to join up with the Saxons ahead of the Barclays Churchill Cup, replaced by three newcomers Chris Cracknell, James Rodwell and Ollie Cook.
South Africa have recalled former Sevens captain Jonathan Mokuena in place of Vuyo Zangqa, Kenya captain Dennis Mwanja has been replaced in their side by debutant Joshua Gathumbi and France recall the experienced Julien Carraud in place of Emeric Chretien.
Wales have called up Lee Williams and Tal Selley and Spain also make two changes to the side that competed at Twickenham, Diego Gorosito and Fernando Dominguez coming into the side for Antonio Barrera and Martin Heredia.
New Zealand have a relatively easy draw for the tournament, with only a sprightly-looking england to really worry about in Pool A. Pool B is the toughest one to call, pitting South Africa, Argentina, Australia and hosts Scotland together!
Wales and Samoa ought to be scrapping it out for top spot in Pool C ahead of Canada and Spain, while Fiji will be expected to make light work of France, kenya, and Moldova in Pool D.
Edinburgh Sevens pools:
Pool A: New Zealand, Russia, England, Portugal
Pool B: South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Scotland
Pool C: Samoa, Canada, Wales, Spain
Pool D: Fiji, France, Kenya, Moldova
Fixtures: All times BST – GMT+1
09:12 New Zealand v Russia
09:34 England v Portugal
09:56 Samoa v Canada
10:18 Wales v Spain
10:40 Fiji v France
11:02 Kenya v Moldova
11:24 South Africa v Argentina
11:46 Australia v Scotland
12:18 New Zealand v Portugal
12:40 England v Russia
13:02 Samoa v Spain
13:24 Wales v Canada
13:46 Fiji v Moldova
14:08 Kenya v France
14:30 South Africa v Scotland
14:52 Australia v Argentina
15:14 Russia v Portugal
15:36 Canada v Spain
15:58 France v Moldova
16:20 New Zealand v England
16:52 Samoa v Wales
17:14 Fiji v Kenya
17:36 South Africa v Australia
17:58 Argentina v Scotland
with thanks to the IRB