Sonny Bill to accompany NZ 7s team to Dubai

Sonny Bill Williams will accompany the New Zealand sevens team to their world series opener in Dubai as a learning experience.

He will also do promotional activities for the tournament.

Williams, who is concentrating on the sevens scene now as he looks to add an Olympics appearance to his two World Cup medals with the All Blacks, didn't make Gordon Tietjens's first squad of the new campaign.

But the opportunity to familiarise Williams with his new surroundings will see him in Dubai.

The All Blacks Sevens are drawn in Pool C and play France and Portugal before finishing the day against USA who ended last season by winning the London Sevens.

Meanwhile, Fiji will meet Canada in their first pool match of the Dubai 7s at 6pm next Friday.