All Blacks rejects among sevens trialists

BY MARC HINTON

All Black rejects Adam Thomson and Zac Guildford and Maori series standout Hosea Gear are among 22 players who will trial for places in Gordon Tietjens' sevens team for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Also included are former All Blacks Brendon Leonard and Ben Smith, age-group sensation Julian Savea and blockbusting Crusaders midfielder Robbie Fruean as Tietjens casts his net as wide as he can in search of a squad capable of defending the Games crown.

Thomson and Guildford were surprise omissions when Graham Henry rejigged his All Blacks squad for the Tri-Nations, while Gear was a controversial non-inclusion after a sensational centenary series with the Maori, including a brilliant hat-trick in the victory over England.

Savea is also an interesting contender after his heroics for the world champion New Zealand under-20 side in Argentina. The big wing was named IRB junior player of the year and drew comparisons with a young Jonah Lomu courtesy of powerful style.

Tietjens said he was pleased with the quality of contenders for the squad that will go the Games in October.

"We have a good mix of current sevens national squad members and quality players coming in from other national teams," he said.

The players assemble in Mount Maunganui today through until Thursday. A 14-man squad for the Games will be named next month.

The players will then assemble for a two-day camp in Auckland on August 23-24 and then again on September 29 before departing for Dubai on October 1. The 14-man squad will stay in Dubai for five days and 12 players will then travel on to Delhi for the Commonwealth Games.

Players not considered for the trial camp due to injury are: Sean Maitland (shoulder), Tim Nanai-Williams (hamstring), Lelia Masaga (knee), Kendrick Lynn (groin), Jared Payne (ankle) and Scott Waldrom (hand).

Commonwealth Games New Zealand sevens trial squad:

Toby Arnold                          Bay of Plenty

Kurt Baker                             Taranaki

Beauden Barrett                   Taranaki

Tomasi Cama                      Manawatu

Edwin Cocker                       Auckland

DJ Forbes                            Counties Manukau

Robert Fruean                      Canterbury   

Hosea Gear                           Wellington

Zac Guildford                        Hawke's Bay

Jason Hona                          Bay of Plenty

Solomon King                      Bay of Plenty

Zar Lawrence                       Bay of Plenty

Fritz Lee                             Counties Manukau

Brendon Leonard                Waikato

Tim Mikkelson                      Waikato

Lote Raikabula                     Manawatu

Julian Savea                        Welllington

Ben Smith                             Otago

Ben Souness                       Taranaki

Sherwin Stowers                 Counties Manukau

Adam Thomson                   Otago

Save Tokula                          Waikato

- © Fairfax NZ News