Akuila Rokolisoa will compete in his second Rugby World Cup 7s tournament when he runs out for New Zealand in Cape Town, South Africa next weekend.
The 28-year-old former electrician’s name was called out yesterday during the announcement of the All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens squads.
Joining Rokolisoa are seasoned campaigners Kurt Baker, Dylan Colllier, Scott Curry, Sione Molia and Regan Ware.
Dickson and Molia are the co-captains. On their way to victory at the Los Angeles Sevens over the weekend, the All Blacks Sevens lost four players to an already sizeable injury tally.
Coach Clark Laidlaw said while those players would have been likely selections in the World Cup squad, he is ultimately pleased with the makeup of the team.
“I guess the exciting part of the weekend just been was the emergence of some players that don’t always get a lot of game time. It tested our depth and showed if we apply ourselves the players we have are very capable.
“Winning like that builds belief. We had a tough pool but there were little moments that set the tone in terms of the resilience we want to show.”
Meanwhile, the Black Ferns Sevens will celebrate two significant milestones at the Rugby World Cup Sevens with Canterbury teen Jorja Miller set to make her international debut while captain Sarah Hirini will become the first player to reach the milestone of 50 tournaments for the side.
Also in the side is prolific try scorer Portia Woodman. New Zealand head to South Africa as defending champions in both the men’s and women’s tournaments after the Black Ferns Sevens and All Blacks Sevens made history in San Francisco four years ago.
