The All Blacks Sevens team is missing no less than nine players through injury, including their captain, plus their talented young playmaker for the Paris and London 7s.
Currently fourth on the standings with just the final two tournament legs to play, New Zealand are desperate to reach a Cup final, or even the semifinals, but will have to do so without a catalogue of players which include Scott Curry , Dylan Collier , Iopu Iopu‑Aso, Joe Ravouvou, Isaac Te Tamaki and Beaudein Waaka.
Teenaged playmaker Vilimoni Koroi, who has been outstanding this season has returned to the Mitre 10 Cup preparation for Otago.
Rocky Khan returns to assume the playmaking role, but coach Scott Waldrom has been forced to go outside his 20 contracted players.
There are three debutants in Jamie Booth of Manawatu, Fa'asiu Fuatai of Otago and Jesse Houston of Canterbury.
New Zealand is pooled with Wales, Argentina and USA.
The squad for Paris and London is:
DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau, c), Sam Dickson (Canterbury), Trael Joass (Tasman), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Sione Molia (Counties Manukau), Regan Ware (Bay of Plenty), Lewis Ormond (Taranaki), Tone Ng Shiu (Tasman), Sherwin Stowers (Counties Manukau), Joe Webber (Bay of Plenty), Rocky Khan (Auckland), Jamie Booth (Manawatu), Fa'asiu Fuatai (Otago), Jesse Houston (Canterbury)
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