Two new caps for NZ Sevens

New Zealand Sevens Coach Gordon Tietjens has named two uncapped players in the squad of 12 for the final two tournaments in the IRB Sevens World Series, in London from 24-25 May and Edinburgh from 31 May-1 June.

New Zealand Sevens Coach Gordon Tietjens has named two uncapped players in the squad of 12 for the final two tournaments in the IRB Sevens World Series, in London from 24-25 May and Edinburgh from 31 May-1 June.

22-year-old midfielder Ben Nowell of Canterbury and 25-year-old fullback Kendrick Lynn of Southland are the two new caps, and Tietjens said both players had impressed at the training camp this week.

“Ben and Kendrick are promising players with good skills, and they have demonstrated that they are ready for international rugby,” Tietjens said.

“They have taken well to the Sevens game and this is an ideal opportunity for them to show their talent and ability on a world stage.”

New Zealand leads the IRB Sevens World Series on 126 points ahead of South Africa (92 points) and Fiji (74 points).

“While we are leading the points table, we are yet to win the Series and we are determined to finish the year on a winning note,” Tietjens said.

New Zealand Sevens squad: Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), Edwin Cocker (Auckland), Israel Dagg (Hawke's Bay), DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau, captain), Nigel Hunt (Bay of Plenty), Tafai Ioasa (Hawke's Bay), Solomon King (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), Kendrick Lynn (Southland), Ben Nowell (Canterbury), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Nafi Tuitavake (North Harbour).