Baker back in Black
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand Sevens stalwart Kurt Baker will run out in the black jersey for the 50th time in Los Angeles next weekend.
He was named in the 13-strong team for the season-ending World Series tournament.
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 New Zealand Sevens team.
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.
Sam Dickson will travel as 14th man.
Laidlaw said the team has 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 semifinal 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,” he said
Laidlaw commented that 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.”
With several forwards out injured, the return of Lewis Ormond, for his first international tournament since 2017, is a welcome addition.
“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 the United States 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 is a tough team, United States pump themselves up when they are playing at home and obviously South Africa was on fire at the Commonwealth Games.
“We need to focus our minds on the physical challenge from Canada first up and build from there.”
Players unavailable due to injury include Tim Mikkelson, Scott Curry, Rhodes Featherstone, Kitiona Vai and Andrew Knewstubb.
New Zealand Sevens team: Kurt Baker, Leroy Carter, Che Clark, Moses Leo, Sione Molia, Tone Ng Shiu, Amanaki Nicole, Lewis Ormond, Akuila Rokolisoa, Roderick Solo, Caleb Tangitau, Regan Ware, Joe Webber.
Some exciting & key talking points in Clark Laidlaw’s All Blacks Sevens side named for the @LASevensRugby!#LASevens pic.twitter.com/4oFJRX8zq1
— NZ Sevens (@nz_sevens) August 19, 2022
