Three new caps in Black Ferns Sevens

Three uncapped players have been named in the Black Ferns Sevens contracted squad, from which the Commonwealth Games team will be selected.

The squad of 23 contracted players for 2018, includes three new players among the 20 fully contracted players and three training contracts.

Rhiarna Ferris, Huia Harding and Risi Pouri-lane are all new to the team, while Jazmin Hotham, Natahlia Moors and Leanna Ryan will join the squad on training contracts.

Also, Waikato’s Shiray Tane returns after last playing for the Black Ferns Sevens in 2016; Lyric Faleafaga graduates from a training

to full contract and six new players have all progressed through the New Zealand Sevens Development programme.

Black Ferns Sevens coach Allan

Bunting said he is looking forward to working with the new players.

‘‘The idea of training contacts is to support these younger players to migrate into the full squad.

‘‘There is a big gap between national and international level, so we are looking to give them support to get physically ready and grow their technical skillset.’’

Bunting said the focus will be on the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup, but he is also looking to continue to develop players. ‘‘The plan this year is to give all our contracted players experience on the field at some stage.

‘‘We want to ... have 20 players capable of competing for the playing 12 every tournament.’’

The squad is preparing for the Commonwealth Games before three World Sevens Series tournament and the Rugby World Cup Sevens round out the season.