Sevens vets help NZ rookies settle
New Zealand’s rookie sevens players are under the watchful eye of team veterans as they seek places in the squad for the Wellington Sevens.
Tasman’s Tone Ng Shiu is rooming with former captain DJ Forbes, while Vilimoni Koroi of Otago has been paired with Rocky Khan as the young pair look to settle into their first New Zealand camp. By pairing the rookies with the old heads, the youngsters are able to learn about the sevens game on and off the paddock.
Coach Scott Waldrom said the new players, which also includes Tasman’s Andrew Knewstubb and Trael Joass, are learning fast having come into camp after the national sevens tournament in Rotorua.
Helping that is the time spent off the paddock.
‘‘I’m rooming with Rocky Khan,’’ Koroi said. ‘‘He’s been helping me with the moves and stuff like that in our down time.
‘‘I pick his brain most of the time. When he’s trying to sleep I’m trying to work. It’s good to have Rocky in the room.’’
The same can be said for Ng Shiu and Forbes.
Ng Shiu said coming into the national team has been a big learning experience.
‘‘It’s been pretty emotional, but at the same time exciting,’’ Ng Shiu said.
‘‘We’re proud to be representing New Zealand and can’t wait to put on the black jersey.’’
He said to do so alongside two other Tasman players was particularly special.
‘‘Pretty stoked eh. I’m happy they’re here, and they’re happy that I’m here. It’s a win-win for all of us.’’
The Tasman trio impressed at the national tournament, playing for a side that hadn’t been expected to perform all that well.
South Island sides have traditionally struggled at the national tournament, which is highlighted by the fact that the only South Island player was Canterbury’s Sam Dickson last year.
But with the Tasman boys and Koroi, plus Dylan Collier’s switch to Southland, the south is starting to make an impact on the national squad.
‘‘They’re great. All being from the same place has made it a bit easier for them,’’ Waldrom said of the Tasman players.
‘‘They’ve got each other and they know each other pretty well, and they’ve certainly fitted in. They’ve got the right attitude about working hard and taking everything in as well.
‘‘[All the new caps are] pretty quick learners. The hardest thing for them is coming into a full time programme in which you’re working everyday and training everyday, and it does take its toll on the body for the new guys.
‘‘We’ve had to ease them off and be a little more lenient on what they do. They’re being looked after, but they’re certainly keen on doing everything.’’
Waldrom said the squad is starting to come together well in training, after four days in Rotorua following nationals, and a couple of days in Wellington.
‘‘There’s some real energy about the team. Everyone’s enjoying being with each other and they’re working pretty hard as well, so the feeling is certainly there.
‘‘For me, I just want to get to game time, [but] we’ve got to slowly build our way there and there’s still a bit of work to do for the new boys as well.’’
A final playing 12 for the Wellington Sevens will be named later this week.