Nathan-wong to miss World Cup
Tyla Nathan-wong will miss next weekend’s Sevens World Cup with the Black Ferns sevens because of a concussion.
She made her test debut as a halfback in 15s for the Black Ferns, coming off the bench in the second half against Australia in Christchurch 11 days ago, but she had to leave the field with a head injury.
The 28-year-old hasn’t recovered in time to travel for the tournament in Cape Town.
The All Blacks sevens will also have key players absent with injury, such as Tim Mikkelson, Joe Webber and Andrew Knewstubb.
Both squads were named yesterday, as the New Zealand teams head to South Africa as reigning champions after each winning the last two Sevens World Cups in San Francisco in 2018 and Moscow in 2013.
However, they both had to settle for bronze medals in their last major event, the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, after losing in the semifinals.
The Black Ferns were upset by Australia and retain the core of their squad that has been so successful, winning gold at last year’s Tokyo Olympics, with Sarah Hirini the captain.
While Nathan-wong is unavailable, Michaela Blyde, Kelly Brazier, Stacey Fluhler, Niall Williams and Portia Woodman have all been selected.
Shakira Baker and Tysha Ikenasio were also listed as unavailable because of injury.
The Black Ferns sevens begin their World Cup against Colombia on September 10.
As for the All Blacks Sevens, who beat Fiji in the final to win the Los Angeles title in the World Series last weekend, Sam Dickson, Scott Curry and Dylan Collier return to the squad after being rested.
However, last year’s Olympic silver medallists lost another four players to injury in Los Angeles, adding to a large tally on the treatment table.
Mikkelson, Rhodes Featherstone, Kitiona Vai, Webber, Leroy Carter, Roderick Solo, Che Clark, Knewstubb were all listed as unavailable because of injury.
Their first World Cup match will be against either Jamaica or Scotland on September 10.
The Sevens World Cup is played in a knockout format from the start, with 24 teams in the men’s tournament and 16 in the women’s event.