Tasman Makos: News

Tasman squad picked for National Rugby Sevens
26-Nov-2009

TRU Media Release

A total of 20 players have been named in a wider training squad to begin preparations for the National Sevens Tournament, being held in Queenstown on January 9th and 10th. The squad was named after the Huia Invitational Sevens Tournament that was held at Sports Park Motueka earlier in November.

Tasman Rugby Sevens coach Steve Dunn says the final team will be just 12 players so the training now starts in earnest, “we’ll be concentrating on increasing the players understanding of the 7's game, getting their fitness up to a suitable level for this type of rugby and getting the guys involved in game situations”.

The first stage will end with a final trial closer to Xmas from which the final squad of 12 players will be named. “We’ll be looking for guys who have the required skills to play 7's at a higher level than the recent club sevens. Skills such as vision, patience, speed, fitness and an idea of how to play the game which is totally different to that of fifteens”, says Dunn.

Sevens rugby has lost a bit of momentum in this region but with its inclusion into the Olympics in 2016 it’s expected that the code is going to attract global interest and coverage in the next few years.

Tasman Rugby Union 7’s Squad:
Jarrod Aberhart Tevita Koloamatangi
Doni Ahoafi Jesse MacDonald
Hana Corbett-Burrows James Marshall
Brenton Connell Ammon Matuauto
Blair Cook Mike Pehi
Andrew Goodman Afeleki Pelenise
Billy Guyton Mitchell Scott
Jerome Harimate Seta Sauira
Sione Holari Stu Tunnicliffe
Dan Hyatt Joe Yalayala.