Maori star gets Sevens call-up
New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens has turned to Maori star Kurt Baker and fellow outside back Sherwin Stowers ahead of the next two rounds of the IRB Sevens World Series.
Both are returning to the shorter form of the game after missing out on Super Rugby spots for next year.
The 12-strong squad for the Dubai tournament next week and the Port Elizabeth round in December also features three newcomers – the Auckland pair of Milford Keresoma and Ben Lam, as well as Canterbury's Sam Dickson.
Dickson was selected for the season-opener on the Gold Coast in October, when New Zealand were runners-up to Fiji, but had to withdraw because of injury.
Two players, Toby Arnold and Mark Jackman, were not considered because of injury.
New Zealand: Kurt Baker, Tomasi Cama, Scott Curry, Sam Dickson, DJ Forbes (captain), Milford Keresoma, Warwick Lahmert, Ben Lam, Tim Mikkelson, Lote Raikabula, Sherwin Stowers, Belgium Tuatagaloa.
