Strong NZ Women's Sevens Development side for Central Coast Sevens

Strong NZ Women’s Sevens Development side for Central Coast Sevens

New Zealand Women’s Sevens coach Sean Horan has named a strong New Zealand Development team to take part in the 2015 UON Central Coast Sevens Kinesio Cup competition later this month.

The invitational tournament takes place in Kanwal, New South Wales on the weekend of 24, 25 October. The 12 players are:

Kelly Brazier (Bay of Plenty)
Gayle Broughton (Taranaki)
Sarah Goss (Manawatu)
Lavinia Gould (Bay of Plenty)
Lesley Ketu (Waikato)
Huriana Manuel (Auckland)
Morgan Morrow (Waikato)
Shiray Tane (Hawkes Bay)
Alexis Tapsell (Bay of Plenty)
Ruby Tui (Canterbury)
Stacey Waaka (Waikato)
Katarina Whata-Simpkins (Wellington)

Horan said the tournament would provide a great opportunity for players to gain valuable international game time ahead of the domestic Super Sevens series which kicks off in Taupo on 30 October. Players will also be pressing for selection for the first tournament of the Women’s Sevens Series in Dubai in early December.

“We’re building for a very important season ahead so we’re keen to use this tournament to sharpen our thinking about our game and the squad,” he said. “In particular, this is a great tournament to introduce new players without the huge pressure we’ll face later in the season.”

Lesley Ketu and Stacy Waaka take their places in a New Zealand sevens team for the first time.

“Lesley’s really impressed in the Women’s Provincial Championship for Waikato this season and now has a great opportunity to show us what she can do in the black jersey. Stacy’s been training for us for some time and also fully deserves her chance.”

The tournament marks the return of former captain Huriana Manuel who has not played for New Zealand since being injured in May 2014 and Lavinia Gould who last played in late 2012.

“We’re really excited to have Huriana back on board. We know what she can do so we’re looking forward to seeing her back in action in this environment. Likewise, Lavinia had some unfortunate injuries on the comeback trail last season which ruled her out of the Women’s Series so it’ll be great to see her back in black as well.”

The Kinesio Cup is regarded as one of the world’s leading invitational women’s tournaments and features teams from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Japan, Fiji, Germany and Hong Kong.