Kiwis draft in seven rookies
New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens offered seven players contracts for the first to time to play for the All Blacks Sevens squad.
They include the Auckland pair of Milford Keresoma and Ben Lam, Cantabrian Sam Dickson and Taranaki's Warwick Lahmert.
The other new contracted players are Hawke's Bay's Gillies Kaka, Wellingtonian Belgium Tuatagaloa and Waikato's Luke Masirewa.
The full list of 16 for 2013 includes Kurt Baker and Sherwin Stowers, who were previously contracted to Sevens before their respective Super Rugby stints with the Highlanders and the Blues.
New Zealand top the standings on the IRB Sevens World Series after three rounds, with 60 points, followed by France (46 points), Fiji (44) and South Africa (41).
Contracted New Zealand Sevens players: Toby Arnold (Bay of Plenty), Kurt Baker (Taranaki), Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), Scott Curry (Manawatu), Sam Dickson (Canterbury), DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau), Mark Jackman (Canterbury), Gillies Kaka (Hawke's Bay), Milford Keresoma (Auckland), Warwick Lahmert (Taranaki), Ben Lam (Auckland), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Luke Masirewa (Waikato), Lote Raikabula (Wellington), Sherwin Stowers (Counties Manukau), Belgium Tuatagaloa (Wellington).
Remaining tournament on the IRB Sevens World circuit:
February 1 and 2: Wellington
February 8 to 10: Las Vegas
March 22 to 24: Hong Kong
March 30 and 31: Tokyo
May 4 and 5: Edinburgh
May 11 and 12: London
