Tietjens brings in four newcomers

Gordon Tietjens has contracted four new players in his team for the next stage of the IRB Sevens World Series.

The newcomers are former New Zealand Under-20 player and Southland back Marty McKenzie, and  Wellington speedster Ambrose Curtis, who made his debut at the Gold Coast Sevens. Young Waikato players Declan O'Donnell and Joe Webber also return to the squad having last played in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

Four additional players will be contracted by early next year as part of the wider training group.

Tietjens said he was very pleased with the calibre of players who have committed to the All Black Sevens over the next year.

"This is a very strong squad with a core group of players who have performed consistently well for the team, particularly in the past season, together with some exciting young talent who will help build depth as we move towards the Olympics in 2016," Tietjens said.

"The really good news is that we now have eight specialist sevens players. This is all part of our plan to build a group of players who can devote themselves to sevens and so play their part in helping us win gold at Rio in 2016."

New Zealand next play at the Dubai Sevens on November 29 and 30, which is the second tournament in the 2013/14 IRB Sevens World Series.

The All Blacks Sevens currently lead the series having won the opening tournament of the series, the Gold Coast Sevens last month.

Players contracted to the New Zealand Sevens squad: Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), Scott Curry (TBA), Ambrose Curtis (Wellington), Sam Dickson (Canterbury), DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau), Bryce Heem (Tasman), Ben Lam (Auckland), Mark Jackman (Canterbury), Gillies Kaka (Hawke's Bay), Marty McKenzie (Southland), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Waisake Naholo (Taranaki), Declan O'Donnell (Waikato), David Raikuna (North Harbour), Lote Raikabula (Wellington), Sherwin Stowers (Counties Manukau), Joe Webber (Waikato).