The All Blacks Sevens squad for the upcoming Hong Kong tournament has been named.

Salesi Rayasi is in-line to make his debut during the next round of the World Sevens Series. Rayasi is joined by Auckland stalwarts of the national set-up, Rocky Khan and Joe Ravouvou. Akuila Rokolisoa, who was loaned from Auckland to Counties Manukau for the National Sevens, is also included in the squad for the first time.

The largely changed squad is due to the impending Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. With seven debutants included, there is a heavy onus on the likes of Khan and Ravouvou to lead by example with such young charges being deployed for the unofficial World Cup of Sevens.

With the Commonwealth Sevens squad already on the ground in Australia, the All Blacks Sevens will be coached by Roger Randle and Aussie McLean in Hong Kong.

Randle is confident that the side will put in a good showing for the coming round of the series after a number of strong training sessions to this point.

“We’ve named a strong team for Hong Kong. For a number of these guys it will be the first time they pull on a black jersey and to do that at the Hong Kong Sevens will be an incredible moment for them.

“We come up against Fiji, Samoa and Russia in pool play which is a tough assignment, but we are confident in the group we have selected.”

The Hong Kong Sevens kicks off on the 6^th April.

The squad is: (* denotes debut)

Jordan Bunce (Waikato)
Tima Faingaanuku* (Tasman)
Rocky Khan (Auckland)
Luke Masirewa (Bay of Plenty)
Etene Nanai-Seturo (Counties Manukau)
Jona Nareki* (Otago)
Tone Ng Shiu (Tasman)
Amanaki Nicole* (Canterbury)
Joe Ravouvou (Auckland)
Salesi Rayasi* (Auckland)
Akuila Rokolisoa* (Counties Manukau)
Dan Schrijvers* (Wellington)
Bailey Simonsson* (Bay of Plenty)

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