The New Zealand Sevens team is preparing for the next two rounds of the IRB Sevens Series - with a 15-strong squad holding the first of two training camps in the Bay of Plenty town of Ohope this week.

Following tournament wins in Dubai, George, Wellington and San Diego, New Zealand leads the IRB Sevens Series on 80 points, ahead of South Africa (48 points), Fiji (44 points), and Samoa (38 points).  The next two IRB Sevens tournaments are in Hong Kong from 28-30 March and Adelaide from 5-6 April.

The Ohope camp is from Friday 29 February to Monday 3rd March.  As part of the team's preparations, several of the current squad members will also play in the Taneatua Sevens tournament in Whakatane on 1st March.

New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens said it was important for the players to have regular game time between tournaments. "There is a long break between San Diego and Hong Kong tournaments and while training camps provide additional fitness and conditioning, it is still important that players remain 'game sharp'. This tournament is an opportunity for these players to do just that," Tietjens said.

The Ohope camp marks the return to the squad of Afeleke Pelenise, who missed the first four IRB Sevens Series tournaments of the new season because of a knee injury.

The second training camp is scheduled for Mount Maunganui from 18-21 March when the squad of 12 for the Hong Kong and Adelaide tournaments will be named.

New Zealand Sevens camp squad named:Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), Edwin Cocker (Auckland), Israel Dagg (Hawke's Bay), Nigel Hunt (Wellington), Tafai Ioasa (Hawke's Bay), Solomon King (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (North Harbour), Kendrick Lynn (Southland), Ben Nowell (Canterbury), Afeleke Pelenise (Tasman), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Rene Ranger (Northland), Chad Tuoro (Counties Manukau), Nafi Tuitavake (North Harbour) and Victor Vito (Wellington).

Note: DJ Forbes and Steven Yates will not attend the camp in Ohope because they are both getting married.

For further information, please contact:
Joslyn Titus
NZRU Communications Advisor
P: 04 494 0967
M: 027 227 1750
E: joslyn.titus@nzrugby.co.nz