Six new players have been contracted to the All Blacks Sevens for the 2014/15 Sevens World Series, including the son of the former All Black Frank Bunce.
Frank Bunce Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Coach Gordon Tiejtens says 20-year old Jordan Bunce is exciting, fast, understands the game and, like his dad, is a very talented defender.
The Wellington loose forward Murphy Taramai, Counties Manukau centre Sam Vaka, Otago fullback Tony Ensor, Bay of Plenty loose forward Joe Tupe and Otago back and 2013 New Zealand under-20 player Fa'asiu Fuatai are the other newcomers.
The squad is anchored by a core of experienced players who have been the mainstay of the All Blacks Sevens through recent seasons including long serving captain DJ Forbes, Tim Mikkelson, Scott Curry and Ambrose Curtis.
The contracted players are (*uncapped players):
Jordan Bunce*
Tomasi Cama
Scott Curry
Ambrose Curtis
Sam Dickson
Tony Ensor*
DJ Forbes
Fa'asiu Fuatai*
Gillies Kaka
Tim Mikkelson
Declan O'Donnell
Lote Raikabula
Sherwin Stowers
Murphy Taramai*
Joe Tupe*
Joe Webber
Sam Vaka*
Tiejtens will finalise the full contracted squad following the National Sevens in January in Rotorua.
The All Blacks Sevens are the reigning World Series champions, having secured their 12th title and fourth in a row last season.
The team is currently fifth after the first tournament of the year on the Gold Coast.
Tietjens names his 12 players for the Dubai and Port Elizabeth tournaments on Thursday November 27.
The top four teams in the 2014/15 World Series automatically qualify for the Rio Olympics.