Five new players have been named in the New Zealand Sevens squad to contest the opening two rounds of the IRB Sevens Series in Dubai and South Africa next month.
Coach Gordon Tiejtens says he picked players who are bigger and have the pace which is important for the Sevens game.
He says the players performed well during the trials, and gained valuable experience during the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup, and being part of the Sevens squad will assist them through to International level.
New Zealand is pooled with Samoa, Wales and Arabian Gulf for the opening leg in Dubai and a week later in South Africa will face Australia, Scotland and Tunisia.
Auckland's Dj Forbes will captain the side.
The new faces are Taranaki loose forward Jarrad Hoeata , Bay of Plenty loose forward Solomon King, Northland winger Rene Ranger, Southland winger Willie Rickards and 20-year-old Canterbury winger Nick Thomson.
The New Zealand squad is: Edwin Cocker, Forbes, Hoeata, Nigel Hunt, King, Zar Lawrence, Lachie Munro, Alfred Pelenise, Ranger, Lote Raikabula, Rickards, and Thomson.
