Four changes to NZ sevens side
Six months ago, Tayla Reti had never played sevens. Now, her first international tournament could be the one that crowns the New Zealand women’s team champions.
Reti is one of four changes to the the New Zealand women’s side for the final tournament of the World Rugby women’s sevens series in France.
The New Zealand team are currently first in the standings, and need to finish seventh or higher to take out the 2016-2017 world series.
It is Reti’s first call-up to the squad, capping a meteoric rise. She only started playing sevens earlier this year, after being discovered through the Go For Gold programme which identifies new talent to develop for the Olympic Games in 2020.
Now playing for the Varsity Vixens in Palmerston North, she went to Paraparaumu College and represented Horowhenua-Kapiti in touch.
New Zealand head coach Allan Bunting said his new charge had made an impression on him in training.
‘‘Tayla Reti has only been in our environment a short time but has shown real determination and courage to learn and grow at every opportunity and has earned her chance to wear the black jersey.’’
He said the move was one for the future.
‘‘With a number of experienced players preparing for the fifteens Women’s World Cup, Clermont- Ferrand provides another chance to give other players experience at the next level.
‘‘With the Commonwealth Games and Sevens World Cup next year it is important that we continue to develop depth and foundations in our squad.’’
The other changes see Gayle Broughton and Terina Te Tamaki re-enter the playing 12, and Tenika Willison picked as a travelling reserve.
New Zealand have won the women’s world series on three previous occasions and were second to Australia last year. Speedster Michaela Blyde is currently the top try scorer for the series.
Reti and the rest of the squad flew out earlier this week. They have Japan, Ireland and the US in their pool.
The tournament in ClermontFerrand, in central France, ends on Sunday.