Bay of Plenty Men’s Sevens Squad:

PKristin Macfarlane

reparation for the Bay of Plenty men’s sevens’ season gets under way with a training camp this weekend. Bay of Plenty sevens head coach Sean Horan and his assistant Steve Miln this week named their wider training squad for the coming season, with 24 players with varied skill and experience selected.

Horan said the selection was mixed with “some players from the past, a few from the Under 19s squad, a couple of new players to the region, plus there are a couple of exciting young players that are still at school”.

He said he was excited to see how they developed in the lead up to the Hunter Mokomoko, William Warbrick, Will Ngatai, Jordy Stone, Jayjay Seumai, Gordie Lloyd, Etonia Waqa, Taniela Filemoni, Paea Lavaka, Richie Tuvanavou, Elijah Nicholas, Josh Honey, Jonty Wood, Te Aihe Toma, Isaac Te Aute, Vilitati Sabani, Carlos Price, Danyon Morgan-Puterangi, Rewita Biddle, Luther Hirini, Ratu Delasau, Peni Lasaqa, Fritz Rayasi, Te Wehi Wright.

season and the TECT National Sevens on December 15 and 16 in Tauranga.

The national tournament, established in 1976 with the introduction of the women’s competition in 1998, will feature 16 men’s and 12 women’s teams that qualify by competing at three regional tournaments.

The move from Rotorua to Tauranga and the shift from January to December is aimed at boosting the number of top level players competing at the tournament.

The Bay of Plenty men’s sevens wider training squad begin preparations this weekend with a camp in

Ohope. ¯

They’ll compete in pre-season tournaments in Pukekohe and Thames ahead of the Northern Regional Qualification Tournament in Cambridge on December 1, aiming to qualify for the National Sevens.

“We’re excited about the opportunity that presents itself to the group,” Horan said. “It’s great to have the National Sevens based in Tauranga for the first time and hopefully the exposure that the players will get, will help their future progression.”

National Sevens tickets are on sale and available from Dash Tickets.