7 players with links to Fiji named in the New Zealand 7s team

For the first time ever, a record number of seven players with links to Fiji have been named in the New Zealand 7s team to play in the Hong Kong 7s next weekend.

They include Rocky Khan, Amanaki Nicole, Luke Masirewa, Jona Nareki, Joe Ravouvou, Salesi Rayasi and Akuila Rokolisoa.

Meanwhile New Zealand has named two separate teams for the Hong Kong 7s and Commonwealth Games.

Their team to the Commonwealth Games is already preparing in Australia while their side to Hong Kong will be coached by Roger Randle and Aussie McLean.

Six players with World Rugby experience are part of the young side to play in Hong Kong with a total of seven players to make their debut.

Amanaki Nicole, Jona Nareki and Bailey Simonsson are fully contracted with the All Blacks 7s team while Salesi Rayasi and Akuila Rokolisoa have been involved in training camps over the past six months.

The All Blacks 7s team to Commonwealth Games is Tim Mikkelson, Scott Curry, Dylan Collier, Sam Dickson, Trael Joass, Vilimoni Koroi, Andrew Knewstubb, Sione Molia, Kurt Baker, Joe Webber, Regan Ware and Ngarohi McGarvey‑Black while the travelling reserve is Caleb Clarke.

Meanwhile the Fiji Airways Men’s 7s team have left our shores this morning.

Fiji will play Samoa at 12.43am next Saturday in their first pool match of the Hong Kong 7s, we then play Russia at 5.54pm next Saturday and then take on New Zealand at 9.54pm next Saturday.

The quarterfinals will be held at 2.15pm next Sunday, semi finals will start at 7.41pm next Sunday while the Final will be held at 11pm next Sunday.

All Blacks 7s team to Hong Kong:

Jordan Bunce (Waikato), Tima Faingaanuku (Tasman, Rocky Khan (Auckland), Luke Masirewa* (Bay of Plenty), Etene NanaiSeturo (Counties Manukau), Jona Nareki* (Otago),Tone Ng Shiu (Tasman), Amanaki Nicole (Canterbury), Joe Ravouvou* (Auckland),

Salesi Rayasi* (Auckland), Akuila Rokolisoa* (Counties Manukau),

Dan Schrijvers* (Wellington), Bailey Simonsson* (Bay of Plenty).

All Blacks 7s to Commonwealth Games :

Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Scott Curry (Bay of Plenty), Dylan Collier (Waikato), Sam Dickson (Canterbury), Trael Joass (Tasman), Vilimoni Koroi (Otago), Andrew Knewstubb (Tasman), Sione Molia (Counties Manukau), Kurt Baker (Manawatu), Joe Webber (Bay of Plenty), Regan Ware (Bay of Plenty), Ngarohi McGarvey‑Black (Bay of Plenty), Travelling reserve: Caleb Clarke (Auckland).