Emerging sevens talent to be named in black

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) identified the importance of the World School Sevens tournament in the domestic sevens calendar, and will officially oversee the New Zealand Under 18 and Under 18 Māori teams for the first time.

Ben Fisher, New Zealand Rugby’s High Performance Pathways Manager, said the inclusion of the teams in the sevens pathway is an exciting step for aspiring sevens stars.

“Both sevens programmes have a strong history of selecting talented school leavers and developing them into world class rugby players. Overseeing these teams gives us the opportunity to bring their campaigns in line with our high performance programmes and while they only have a short time together it will hopefully give them a taste of what a future in sevens can look like.

We saw earlier this year Che Clark was selected for the Commonwealth Games only six months on from finishing school which again highlights the need to formalise this pathway for aspiring sevens stars.”

The New Zealand Under 18 Boys team will be coached by All Blacks Sevens Assistant Coach Euan Mackintosh. Mackintosh joined the All Black Sevens at the start of 2022, and is a key member of the coaching group as they build towards the Paris Olympics.  

Former Black Fern and Black Ferns Sevens player Kristina Sue will take the helm of the New Zealand Under 18 Girls team. Sue no stranger to coaching has been influential with Manukura Secondary School Girls’ sevens and fifteens programmes.

The New Zealand Māori Under 18 Ngā Whatukura (Boys) will be coached by Karna Luke, Brendan Nolan and former Māori All Black Jackson Willison. Matatū first five-eighth Te Rauoriwa Gapper will be joined by La Winitana and Reuben Samuels to complete the coaching group for the New Zealand Māori Under 18 Ngā Māreikura (Girls) team.

At the conclusion of the Condor Secondary School Sevens Tournament the 2022 New Zealand Under 18 sides, and Under 18 Māori teams will be selected and will compete in the World School Sevens to be held in Auckland in late December.

Tournament Details

World School Sevens
17 – 18 December, Pakuranga Rugby Club, Auckland
Click here to purchase tickets
Live on Sky Sport