Auckland will have four players on the Gold Coast next month after the naming of New Zealand Men’s and Women’s Sevens sides for their respective upcoming Commonwealth Games campaigns.

Theresa Fitzpatrick, Tyla Nathan-Wong and Niall Williams are once again in the Women’s Sevens touring party for another major campaign. Their wealth of experience at the top-end, as well as their ability to change a game on the field will be invaluable for Head Coach, Allan Bunting, to call upon at any given time.

“You can’t beat experience when it comes to a pinnacle event and that was part of what we looked at when selecting the squad; players that understand how exciting and busy an event like this is,” said Bunting.

With women’s rugby being introduced to the Commonwealth Games for the first time, it is a reflection of the continual growth in stature of the women’s game on the global stage.

New Zealand Rugby’s Chief Strategy and Operations Manager Nigel Cass noted the impressive work of the players as positive ambassadors of the game.

“The introduction of women’s rugby sevens at the games is a reflection of the how the game continues to grow and I believe can also be credited to the great work many of our players are doing as positive ambassadors of the sport.”

Caleb Clarke is Auckland’s sole representative within the New Zealand Men’s Sevens squad. After making his debut in the early stages of 2018 in Sydney and Hamilton, Clarke has done enough to warrant his position as travelling reserve.

Head Coach Clark Laidlaw saw the squad as a melting pot of experience and exciting young talent.

“Narrowing down this squad to 13 players was tough work. We’ve got a group of really experienced players who know what it takes at events like this and are playing well and then a group of younger guys that want to express themselves.”

Within that group of younger guys is Clarke, who will no doubt be ready to take his chance if, and when, called upon throughout the Sevens portion of the Commonwealth Games campaign.

New Zealand Women’s Rugby Sevens squad:

Portia Woodman (Counties Manukau)
Stacey Waaka (Waikato)
Shakira Baker (Waikato)
Sarah Goss (Manawatu)
Ruby Tui (Bay of Plenty)
Theresa Fitzpatrick (Auckland)
Tyla Nathan-Wong (Auckland)
Kat Whata-Simpkins (Wellington)
Kelly Brazier (Bay of Plenty)
Gayle Broughton (Bay of Plenty)
Niall Williams (Auckland)
Michaela Blyde (Bay of Plenty)
Travelling reserve: Tenika Willison (Waikato)

*The women’s team is placed in Pool A alongside Canada, South Africa and Kenya at the Games. The top two placed teams from pool play advance to the semifinals.

Pool play kicks off on Friday 13 April.

New Zealand Men’s Rugby Sevens squad:

Tim Mikkelson (Waikato)
Scott Curry (Bay of Plenty)
Dylan Collier (Waikato)
Sam Dickson (Canterbury)
Trael Joass (Tasman)
Vilimoni Koroi (Otago)
Andrew Knewstubb (Tasman)
Sione Molia (Counties Manukau)
Kurt Baker (Manawatu)
Joe Webber (Bay of Plenty)
Regan Ware (Bay of Plenty)
Ngarohi McGarvey-Black (Bay of Plenty)
Travelling reserve: Caleb Clarke (Auckland)

*In 2018 they are set to meet Canada, Kenya and Zambia in Pool C. The men must top their pool to advance to the semifinals.

Pool play kicks off on Saturday 14 April.

Image Copyright: Photosport NZ