The sevens season is well and truly upon us. In spite of the calendar year coming to an end, the shortened format of the game is only just beginning.

Joe Ravouvou has been selected for the All Blacks Sevens side, while Tyla Nathan-Wong, Kayla McAlister and Theresa Fitzpatrick will represent the Black Ferns Sevens in this weekend’s action at the Ocenia Sevens Championship.

New All Black Sevens coach, Clark Laidlaw, sees it as an opportunity for a hitout before the start of the World Series: “This is a true pre-season for us, we’re a new team and new coaches and we will be coming up against some settled opposition.

“All the players will get game time and we will get to see our strengths and weaknesses. We’re interested to see where we are at against some good teams.”

The Black Ferns Sevens will be looking to continue on from their success in 2016/17 World Series. Coach Allan Bunting has named a strong and experienced side for the weekend.

“We see this as the start of our preparation for the Commonwealth Games so we have picked the strongest team possible; we want to create continuity in our campaign.”

“This opportunity will be a good opportunity to grow combinations and see how our game plan is working,” said Bunting.

The full draw can be found HERE

All Blacks Sevens

Black Ferns Sevens