25 Apr 2014

Tietjens drops Cama and Raikabula

4:11 pm on 25 April 2014

The New Zealand men's rugby sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has dropped the veterans Tomasi Cama and Lote Raikabula for the final two legs of the IRB World Series, in Glasgow and London.

Crusaders wing Adam Whitelock is the only new cap in the side from the team that won the Hong Kong tournament.

Marty McKenzie and George Tilsley also missed selection.

All Blacks Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens says leaving out Cama and Raikabula were tough calls because they have been such great players, but while he's not ruling them out of future tournaments, this year he's trying a couple of things including growing depth.

The captain DJ Forbes will become the most capped New Zealand player when he takes the field in Glasgow, earning his 68th cap to edge out Amasio Valence, who retired on 67 caps and Raikabula, who's also on 67.

The All Blacks Sevens currently lead the IRB World Series by seven points from South Africa and face South Africa and Samoa in pool play in Glasgow.

The team, which departs for the UK on Sunday the 27th of April is:

Scott Curry (Manawatu), Ambrose Curtis (Wellington), Sam Dickson (Canterbury), DJ Forbes (captain, Counties Manukau), Bryce Heem (Tasman), Akira Ioane (Auckland), Gillies Kaka (Hawke's Bay), Ben Lam (Auckland), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Sherwin Stowers (Counties Manukau), Joe Webber (Waikato), Adam Whitelock* (Canterbury)

*new cap