21 Nov 2014

Bunce Jr makes ABs Sevens

12:33 pm on 21 November 2014

Six new players have been contracted to the All Blacks Sevens for the 2014/15 Sevens World Series, including the son of the former All Black Frank Bunce.

Frank Bunce

Frank Bunce Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Coach Gordon Tiejtens says 20-year old Jordan Bunce is exciting, fast, understands the game and, like his dad, is a very talented defender.

The Wellington loose forward Murphy Taramai, Counties Manukau centre Sam Vaka, Otago fullback Tony Ensor, Bay of Plenty loose forward Joe Tupe and Otago back and 2013 New Zealand under-20 player Fa'asiu Fuatai are the other newcomers.

The squad is anchored by a core of experienced players who have been the mainstay of the All Blacks Sevens through recent seasons including long serving captain DJ Forbes, Tim Mikkelson, Scott Curry and Ambrose Curtis.

The contracted players are (*uncapped players):

Jordan Bunce*

Tomasi Cama

Scott Curry

Ambrose Curtis

Sam Dickson

Tony Ensor*

DJ Forbes

Fa'asiu Fuatai*

Gillies Kaka

Tim Mikkelson

Declan O'Donnell

Lote Raikabula

Sherwin Stowers

Murphy Taramai*

Joe Tupe*

Joe Webber

Sam Vaka*

Tiejtens will finalise the full contracted squad following the National Sevens in January in Rotorua.

The All Blacks Sevens are the reigning World Series champions, having secured their 12th title and fourth in a row last season.

The team is currently fifth after the first tournament of the year on the Gold Coast.

Tietjens names his 12 players for the Dubai and Port Elizabeth tournaments on Thursday November 27.

The top four teams in the 2014/15 World Series automatically qualify for the Rio Olympics.