No fifteens for Ferns Sevens squad
New Zealand are the latest union to take all of their contracted sevens squad out of all fifteens rugby until after the Olympics.
Published by John Birch, August 2nd, 2015
3 minute read
Selica Winiata and the rest of the Ferns sevens squad will be focusing solely on sevens in 2015/16 (Faith Sutherland/Manawatu Standard).
In their chase for Olympic gold, World Series champions New Zealand have withdrawn all of their twenty contracted sevens squad players from club, provincial and national 15s duties.
Although there has been no official announcement, the news was revealed in an article published yesterday in theManawatu Standardwhere Selica Winiata revealed that she will be not be turning out for her local team, Manawatu Cyclones, for the first time since she joined the club in 2001 at the age of 14.
"This will be my first actual season not involved. It's a bit disappointing,” she said. "I love coming back and playing my grass-roots rugby for Kia Toa and to play for Manawatu."
Selica, who was vice-captain of New Zealand in the recent Super Series in Canada, confirmed that this was not by any decision of her own, but due to New Zealand's contracted sevens players having been asked to concentrate on the shorter form of the game.
"Looking at the bigger picture, Rio is something important to me. I want to make sure I put my best foot forward and do what's best for me," she added.
Selica combines her rugby with her duties as a police officer in Palmerston North, but may also be forced to reduce her hours because of the increasing demand rugby is making, and competition within the squad for places in the World Series and ultimately the Olympic Games in Rio next year.
"I need to get in the best shape possible to give the coaches the best reason to select me."
The contracted sevens players had their first training camp in Fiji last weekend and they have four more coming up in next two months before the first round of the world series in Dubai in November.
Current New Zealand sevens squad:
Alexis TapsellCarla HohepaCharlotte ScanlanHazel TubicHoney HiremeJordon WebberRuby TuiSarah GossGayle BroughtonHuriana ManuelKat Whata-SimpkinsKayla McAlisterKelly BrazierLavinia GouldMichaela BlydeMorgan MorrowPortia WoodmanSelica WiniataShiray TaneTyla Nathan-Wong