Four newcomers named in the 17-man New Zealand Sevens national squad for the 2008 season

25/1/08

They are 25-year-old fullback Kendrick Lynn of Southland, 22-year-old midfielder Ben Nowell of Canterbury, 26-year-old halfback Chad Tuoro of Counties Manukau and 19-year-old winger Nafi Tuitavake of North Harbour.

New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens said all four players had stood out at the Pub Charity Rugby Sevens tournament in Queenstown this month, and at the national trial last week.

“Each one brings something special to the national team and that is exciting,” Tietjens said.

In explaining the selection of the new players, Tietjens said: “Kendrick Lynn is a good footballer blessed with an array of skills and I am sure that he will put these to effective use in the Sevens game.

“Ben Nowell is a workhorse and has showed his talent in the fifteens game. Chad Tuoro is an experienced player who had an impressive national tournament for his province and Nafi Tuitavake is still young but he is skilful and has a lot of Sevens potential.”

New Zealand Sevens squad for 2008: Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), Edwin Cocker (Auckland), Israel Dagg (Hawke’s Bay), DJ Forbes (Auckland), Nigel Hunt (Wellington), Tafai Ioasa (Hawke’s Bay), Solomon King (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (North Harbour), Kendrick Lynn (Southland), Ben Nowell (Canterbury), Afeleke Pelenise (Tasman), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Rene Ranger (Northland), Chad Tuoro (Counties Manukau), Nafi Tuitavake (North Harbour), Victor Vito (Wellington) and Steven Yates (Canterbury).