Otago outside back Matt Faddes will make his New Zealand sevens debut next week in the biggest tournament of all.
Faddes has been called into the national squad to play in the Hong Kong and Tokyo legs of the sevens world series.
With the likes of Toby Arnold, Kurt Baker and Tomasi Cama unable to front for the tournaments because of injury, Faddes and Hawkes Bay youngster Trinity Spooner-Neera will make their debuts at this level.
Faddes (21) has been in a sevens wider training squad this season, training with the team in New Zealand before it heads overseas for tournaments. But with injury hitting the squad, Faddes has been promoted to the top side.
The team trained in Mount Maunganui this week before it was announced yesterday.
National coach Gordon Tietjens said selecting the team was particularly difficult given injuries to several key players.
NZ sevens
The squad
DJ Forbes (captain), Sam Dickson, Matt Faddes, Gillies Kaka, Rocky Khan, Ben Lam, Luke Masirewa, Tim Mikkelson, Lote Raikabula, Trinity Spooner-Neera, Sherwin Stowers, Belgium Tuatagaloa.
