The New Zealand Sevens Coach Gordon Tietjens has named four new caps in the 2012 national squad of 15 who are preparing for next weekend's Wellington leg of the IRB World series.
18-year-old Wellingtonian Ardie Savea, the younger brother of Hurricane and former New Zealand Sevens player Julian Savea, has been named in Tietjens' squad for the first time.
Savea was nominated for the New Zealand Rugby Union Age Grade Player of the Year at last year's New Zealand Rugby Awards and also captained the 2011 New Zealand Schools side.
Other new caps include Hawke's Bay's Mark Jackman, Taranaki's Waisake Naholo and 19-year-old Aucklander Lolagi Visina.
The squad includes plenty of experience with senior players Lote Raikabula, captain DJ Forbes and playmaker Tomasi Cama all heading into their seventh season with the side.
Meanwhile, new Highlander and All Blacks winger Hosea Gear will join the squad in Wellington on Friday.
Gear has made himself available for selection for the Wellington Sevens and will be released by the Highlanders for the tournament should he be selected.
