The All Blacks Sevens captain DJ Forbes has decided to sit out the upcoming provincial rugby season for Counties Manukau, as he prioritises the seven-man code, with one eye on the Olympic Games in 2016.
Counties Manukau head coach Tana Umaga does have recent World Cup sevens winner Sherwin Stowers in his squad for their 2013 campaign, which will include afternoon rugby at Pukekohe's ECOLight Stadium.
The Steelers ITM Cup campaign kicks off at home with a pre-season hit-out against Bay of Plenty on Thursday August the 1st.
Counties Manukau contracted players: Sam Aiono (Bombay) - prop, Bundee Aki (Patumahoe) - midfield back, Ki Anufe (Bombay) - first five-eighth, Adam Cathcart (Onewhero) - loose forward, Jarrod Firth (Ardmore Marist) - prop, Kane Hancy (Patumahoe) - halfback, Frank Halai (Pukekohe) - wing, Baden Kerr (Karaka) - first five-eighth, Fritz Lee (Ardmore Marist) - No.8, Rey Lee-Lo (Karaka) - midfield back, Tyrone Lefau (Ardmore Marist) - wing, Simon Lemalu (Waiuku) - prop, Sikeli Nabou (Ardmore Marist) - lock, Tim Nanai-Williams (Manurewa) - outside back, August Pulu (Karaka) - first five-eighth, Tony Pulu (Bombay) - outside back, Ronald Raaymakers (Waiuku) - lock, Mahonri Schwalger (Chiefs) - hooker, Mark Selwyn (Manurewa) - loose forward, Sherwin Stowers (Ardmore Marist) - outside back, Suliasi Taufalele (Ardmore Marist) - hooker, Matt Talaese (Manurewa) - prop, Ahsee Tuala (Manurewa) - midfield back, Jimmy Tupou (Patumahoe) - lock/loose forward, Ryan Wilson (Patumahoe) - lock, Maama Vaipulu (Pukekohe) - loose forward
