Lote Raikubula - tireless worker
5 players are returning from last season. Manawatu’s veterans Tomasi Cama and Lote Raikubula are back. Also returning are captain DJ Forbes, Toby Arnold and Tim Mikklesen.
With this nucleus, coach Gordon Teitjens will have continuity but it remains to be seen whether he will have the firepower to go with it.
Sherwin Stowers, Kurt Baker, Fritz Lee and Save Tokula are all contracted to Super Rugby teams and so not available.
Bryce Heem will provide genuine pace and Frank Halai is a very capable sevens player – almost a straight switch for Save Tokula with pace and strength.
In the forwards, a dispensation has been granted to Scott Waldrom who has been out with injury and last played sevens for New Zealand in 2007.
Waldrom was an All Black in 2009 and will be keen to get back to full fitness for the Super Rugby season starting in February.
Notable Omissions
The only players specifically mentioned as injured are Bay of Plenty’s Solomon King and Jason Hona – both experienced campaigners.
There is no place for the vastly experienced Zar Lawrence . The veteran led the emerging New Zealand team on the Gold Coast 2 weeks ago but is not wanted at the highest level this time around..
Ben Souness was also left out of the side, which might leave the forwards light on experience.
[Souness played in all of the IRB World Series events last season]
It seems strange that there is no place for Nafi Tuitavake who played at several IRB World Series Events last season. The experienced North Harbour man has been playing Sevens and had success leading the Penguins to the Singapore Sevens title.
There is also no place for Otago’s Paul Grant or Wellington’s Ruki Tipuna. It seems that Beauden Barrett is being groomed for 15-a-side play.
If anyone knows what he’s doing in the Sevens game it is Kiwi coach Gordon Teitjens. He will blend this team into a force and Dubai will be an excellent test.
The Team
Toby Arnold, Tomasi Cama, Scott Curry, DJ Forbes (captain), Frank Halai, Bryce Heem, Jack McPhee, Tim Mikkelson, Declan O’Donnell, Jackson Ormond, Lote Raikabula, Scott Waldrom