• Auckland players Joe Ravouvou and Caleb Clarke will represent Auckland in Hamilton this weekend
• This will be the first time the New Zealand leg of the World Sevens Series will be staged in Hamilton
• This is the last chance for players to audition before the Wider Squad for the Commonwealth Games is named

Auckland players Joe Ravouvou and Caleb Clarke will feature for the All Blacks Sevens in Hamilton this weekend. Both players performed more than credibly in their latest outing in Sydney with Clarke making his first appearance for a senior New Zealand side on the international stage.

On the back of his impressive cameo against Fiji, Clarke is one of two changes made by Head Coach Clark Laidlaw, and will take his place in the playing 12 where he’ll look to cement his place over the course of the weekend. Ravouvou will look to continue to consolidate his position within the national team set-up given this is the last opportunity for all players to impress before the wider squad for the Commonwealth Games is named.

Coach Laidlaw commented on the opportunity for the two 18-year-olds, Clarke and Etene Nanai-Seturo, to continue pressing their claims.

“We always said these two weeks were about giving younger players an opportunity even though they are two big tournaments.”

“There were glimpses from both of them in the weekend that they can play at this level which is really exciting…”

Hamilton represents a different challenge in 2018 with it being the first time the city has played host to the New Zealand leg of the World Sevens Series after it’s switch from Wellington. However, Laidlaw is confident that home ground advantage will play a part in the final outcome come Sunday.

“As a player and coach you always want to play at home. We are loving being here in Hamilton, it feels familiar, the guys have been able to spend some time with family. Come Saturday, the crowd will lift us and give us an advantage and we’re going to embrace it.”

All Blacks Sevens team:
1. Scott Curry (Co-Captain)
2. Tim Mikkelson (Co-Captain)
3. Teddy Stanaway
4. Joe Ravouvou
5. Luke Masirewa
6. Vilimoni Koroi
7. Sam Dickson
8. Caleb Clarke
9. Regan Ware
10. Etene Nanai-Seturo
11. Joe Webber
12. Sione Molia
13. Kurt Baker

Saturday 3 February
1.20pm v France
4.46pm v Scotland
8.34pm v Argentina

Sunday 4 February – Finals Day