Leading New Zealand at next year's Olympic Games will be a huge honour for new All Blacks Sevens captain Scott Curry.
New Zealand's Scott Curry in action in London. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Curry has taken over the captaincy from DJ Forbes, who stood down from the role so he could concentrate on being fit for Rio.
Curry said competing at the Olympics will be something special.
"The Olympics is the pinnacle of world sport and growing up you probably didn't think as a rugby player you'd get the opportunity to get to go to an Olympic Games.
"Representing your country is a massive honour but to get to captain and go to the Olympics is even more special," Curry said.
Sonny Bill Williams, Gordon Tietjens, Scott Curry and Ardie Savea Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Also named in Sir Gordon Tietjens' initial training squad are the All Blacks Liam Messam and Sonny Bill Williams, as well as Hurricanes loose forward Ardie Savea.
Sir Gordon said he knew what Messam was capable of after winning two Commonwealth gold medals with the New Zealand sevens side and the coach said he was impressed at how quickly Williams could adapt to the demands of rugby.
Sonny Bill Williams at All Blacks training Photo: Photosport
Auckland's Akira Ioane and Ben Lam are the other new faces in the squad from last season, although both have played for the All Blacks Sevens in the past.
Tietjens said the initial training squad will form the basis of the teams to be selected for the new season and more players would be added later this year.
All Blacks Sevens squad:
Dylan Collier (Waikato)
Scott Curry (Bay of Plenty)
Sam Dickson (Canterbury)
DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau)
Gillies Kaka (Hawke's Bay)
Akira Ioane (Auckland)
Rieko Ioane (Auckland)
Ben Lam (Auckland)
Liam Messam (Waikato)
Tim Mikkelson (Waikato)
Ardie Savea (Wellington)
Sherwin Stowers (Counties Manukau)
Sam Vaka (Counties Manukau)
Beaudein Waaka (Taranaki)
Joe Webber (Waikato)
Sonny Bill Williams* (Counties Manukau)
*new squad member