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Lote Raikabula makes NZ Sevens Squad |
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Written by Mr BMR789
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Thursday, 23 November 2006 |
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 Hawkes Bay Magpie Winger Lote Raikabula has made the NZ Sevens Squad for the Dubai and South African round of the world sevens circuit.
This is the second year that Raikabula has made the side, and after some excellent finishing in this year's Air New Zealand Cup, he will be lethal strike weapon for the NZ Sevens side. All the best Lote and well done.
New Zealand Sevens squad for Dubai, South Africa
Five new players have been named in the New Zealand Sevens squad to contest the opening two rounds of the IRB Sevens Series in Dubai and South Africa next month.
The new faces are 23-year-old Taranaki loose forward Jarrad Hoeata, 21-year-old Bay of Plenty loose forward Solomon King, 20-year-old Northland winger Rene Ranger, 22-year-old Southland winger Willie Rickards and 20-year-old Canterbury winger Nick Thomson. They join a group of established Sevens players in the 12-strong squad.
Auckland’s DJ Forbes, who made his New Zealand Sevens debut in Wellington earlier this year, has been appointed captain.
New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens said the inclusion of the newcomers heralded a new chapter in their quest to become international players.
“They all performed exceptionally well in our trial games, which mirrored match situations. They also gained valuable experience during this year’s inaugural Air New Zealand Cup and I am sure that this experience will certainly help them at an international level,” Tietjens said.
In explaining his selections, Tietjens said: “I picked players who have pace, which is so important in the Sevens game. This squad also offers me size which is a bonus too because, in general, a lot of teams now select bigger players to create opportunities and we are blessed with big players who have pace.”
New Zealand has enjoyed success in Dubai before, having won the tournament three times since 2000. In South Africa, New Zealand won in 2000, 2001 and 2004 and lost in the 2002 and 2003 finals.
For the Dubai tournament from 1-2 December, New Zealand is pooled with Samoa, Wales and Arabian Gulf. A week later in South Africa from 8-9 December, New Zealand has been grouped with Australia, Scotland and Tunisia.
Sky TV will broadcast both tournaments live while TVNZ will televise extended highlights packages.
New Zealand Sevens squad: Edwin Cocker (Otago), DJ Forbes (Auckland, captain), Jarrad Hoeata (Taranaki), Nigel Hunt (Wellington), Solomon King (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (North Harbour), Lachie Munro (Auckland), Alfred Pelenise (Canterbury), Rene Ranger (Northland), Lote Raikabula (Hawke’s Bay), Willie Rickards (Southland) and Nick Thomson (Canterbury).
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