patrick osbourne & fritz lee called into the NZs squad

All Blacks Sevens RWC opponent USA reveal their hand

US Eagles Sevens men's head coach Alex Magleby has released his squad for the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow, Russia on June 28-30.
 

After his side's strong finish to the HSBC Sevens World Series, Magleby has opted to put his trust in proven players as they set out in Pool D against New Zealand, Canada and Georgia.

"This preliminary squad is well balanced with aerialists, kickers, and attack threats throughout - a good mixture of go-forward, movement, speed, and grinders," said Magleby, whose side will be in assembly at the Olympic Training Centre for another week before heading to Seattle for six days on June 9.

"I’m looking forward to seeing what we can produce over the next few weeks and to see if other athletes work their way in. The fellas have been busy at the OTC picking up from where they left off after the Series. We have a lot of hard yards ahead over the next three weeks, but we have been pleased with the foundation set so far."

Men’s Eagles Sevens: Carlin Isles, Nick Edwards, Andrew Durutalo, Shalom Suniula, Zach Test, Matt Hawkins, Folau Niua, Jack Halalilo, Maka Unufe, Mike Palefau, Colin Hawley, Brett Thompson

Tietjens reveals NZ trial squad

In the same pool, All Blacks Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens earlier named a squad to attend a three-day trial at Mount Maunganui for the right to earn a place in the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 team.

Fourteen of the 19 players selected took part in the 2012/13 HSBC Sevens World Series which saw New Zealand claim an 11th title in 14 years under Tietjens after reaching every Cup semi-final across the nine events.

Ben Lam was not considered because of injury suffered in the penultimate round of the Series in Glasgow, but regular captain DJ Forbes is included after missing the climax in Glasgow and London due to a foot injury suffered in Tokyo.

“We've called on a core group of players who excelled during the recent Series as well as others who have played in previous seasons," said Tietjens. "We have also been able to include three players from Investec Super Rugby wider training groups, two of whom have played well for the All Blacks Sevens before.

Tietjens will name his squad at Eden Park on Friday 7 June.

All Blacks Sevens trial squad: Pita Ahki (North Harbour), Toby Arnold (Bay of Plenty), Kurt Baker (Taranaki), Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), Scott Curry (Manawatu), Sam Dickson (Canterbury), DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau), Bryce Heem (Tasman), Gillies Kaka (Hawke's Bay), Rocky Khan (Auckland), Fritz Lee (Counties Manukau), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Waisake Naholo (Taranaki), Patrick Osborne (Canterbury), Lote Raikabula (Wellington), David Raikuna (North Harbour), Trinity Spooner-Neera (Hawke's Bay), Sherwin Stowers (Counties Manukau), Belgium Tuatagaloa (Canterbury).

hmmmm, title could be misleading, should be ,,,called into NZ 7s squad, o_O

 

i was super stoked to hear that patrick osbourne and fritz lee were included in the sqaud and i hope they make the final squad announced on friday.
im pretty sure that osbourne will definately make it, as will fritz but not sure about naholo who is the thrid spXV player inculded in sir titjens group.

i dont think osbourne has played 7s rep, not that i can remmeber anyways, but his fijian background will make that no problemos, :o)

if he is included, i would put him in the starting team, but sir tietjens needs to keep them as fresh as possible, so osbourne, forbes and raikabula need to be subbed ASAP from games which are in the bag.
cama needs to be subbed a minute or two into the 2nd half, his lack of pace has cost us many game.
they key as always is going to be kaka, this dude has what it takes to be an all time great like waisale serlei, eric rush and cecil afrika and kakas way quicker then all three of those lengeds at their peak, o_O

GO NZ 7s!!!