19 Aug 2022

Baker to mark milestone at LA Sevens

12:12 pm on 19 August 2022

All Blacks Sevens stalwart Kurt Baker will play his 50th game for the team next weekend.

HONG KONG,HONG KONG SAR, CHINA. April 7th 2019.
Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Rugby Argentina vs New Zealand (Plate Finals)
Kurt Baker of New Zealand celebrates after scores a try
PhotoSport NZ / Yu Chun Christopher Wong

Kurt Baker. Photo: Photosport Ltd 2019

He's been named in the 13-strong New Zealand squad for the Los Angeles World Series tournament.

Coach Clark Laidlaw has also selected another familiar name in 2016 Olympian Lewis Ormond, who returns for his first international sevens tournament in five years.

Laidlaw said the team have been able to refocus quickly after returning home with a bronze medal from the Commonwealth Games earlier this month.

"Obviously it was disappointing not to get over Fiji in that semi-final but it has been good to get home, reconnect with the full group, our friends and family. With a World Cup just around the corner it was easy to re-focus and get back into our work."

Baker joins an elite group of players who have reached the milestone of 50 international tournaments which includes current Assistant Coach Tomasi Cama.

"His attitude and determination is there for everybody to see when he plays but we see it every day. His hunger to improve and want to get better rubs off on the whole group. He's had some setbacks this year with selection and injury but he's never waivered, we are really proud of him," said Laidlaw.

With several forwards out injured, Ormond is back in the fold.

"He'd been away, came back and asked if he could come in and train. He knows he loves sevens; we know he can play sevens; his skillset in the air and his ability to ball play as a forward is something that will really add to our game."

Once again the team will have a tough pool assignment on Day One, up against Canada, hosts USA and Commonwealth Games champions South Africa.

"We've talked about that - we have had really tough pools throughout this year and it just really focuses the mind.

"Canada are a tough team, USA pump themselves up when they are playing at home and obviously South Africa were on fire at the Commonwealth Games.

"We need to focus our minds on the physical challenge from Canada first up and build from there."

Kurt Baker joins DJ Forbes, Tim Mikkelson, Lote Raikabula, Tomasi Cama, Scott Curry and Sam Dickson as players to have reached 50 international tournaments for the All Blacks Sevens.

The All Blacks Sevens team for Los Angeles Sevens is:

Kurt Baker

Leroy Carter

Che Clark

Moses Leo

Sione Molia - co-captain

Tone Ng Shiu

Amanaki Nicole

Lewis Ormond

Akuila Rokolisoa

Roderick Solo

Caleb Tangitau

Regan Ware

Joe Webber - co-captain

Sam Dickson will travel as 14th man.

Unavailable due to injury: Tim Mikkelson, Scott Curry, Rhodes Featherstone, Kitiona Vai & Andrew Knewstubb.