Tietjens forced to change
New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has made five changes to his trial squad that assembled in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday.
Manawatu’s Rob Thompson, Waikato’s Steve Ketu, Tasman’s Shane Christie, Wellington’s George Tilsley and Auckland’s Ben Paltridge have been called into the trial squad as replacements.
Counties Manukau’s Ahsee Tuala, North Harbour’s Ken Pisi, Tasman’s James Lowe and Auckland’s Nathan Hughes are all now unavailable for the trial.
Waikato’s Frank Halai will not attend the trial due to a bereavement.
New Zealand squad: Toby Arnold (Bay of Plenty), Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), Shane Christie (Tasman), Frazier Climo (Taranaki), Scott Curry (Bay of Plenty), Matt Faddes (Otago), DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau), Bryce Heem (Auckland), Joe Hill (Otago), Mark Jackman (Hawke’s Bay), Steve Ketu (Waikato), Solomon King (North Harbour), Warwick Lahmert (Taranaki), Jono Malo (Waikato), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Kieran Moffat (Otago), Waisake Naholo (Taranaki), Kylem O’Donnell (Taranaki), Ben Paltridge (Auckland), Charles Piutau (Auckland), Lote Raikabula (Wellington), Glen Robertson (Waikato), Ardie Savea (Wellington), Ben Souness (Taranaki), George Tilsley (Wellington), Rob Thompson (Manawatu), Nafi Tuitavake (North Harbour), Lolagi Visinia (Auckland), Joe Webber (Waikato), Jack Wilson (Bay of Plenty).
