Four of the six All Blacks 7s players injured while in Dubai for the first round of the HSBC World Rugby 7s Series have returned to New Zealand, prompting the call up to three more to join the team for the Cape Town 7s this weekend.
Three players including Trael Joass, Etene Nanai‑Seturo and Taylor Haugh have left New Zealand to join the New Zealand’s men's team in South Africa ahead of this weekend's HSBC Cape Town 7s.
While in Dubai last week, Kurt Baker, Jona Nareki and Akuila Rokolisoa all suffered injuries before the tournament began, while Sam Dickson, co‑captain Scott Curry and Regan Ware were injured over the weekend.
Despite only nine players available for the Dubai final, the All Blacks 7s claimed the title with a 21‑5 win over USA, their first in nine years.
Nanai‑Seturo has been released by the Chiefs to join the team and Haugh who was part of the 7s squad at last month's Oceania Sevens have both left for South Africa.
Baker, Rokolisoa, Dickson and Curry have all returned to New Zealand while Nareki and Ware have travelled to South Africa with the possibility of being able to play this weekend.
New Zealand is pooled with South Africa, Samoa and Zimbabwe.
They are also Cape Town’s defending champion.
Fiji will take on France in their first pool match at 9.59pm this Saturday. They will take on Kenya at 1.20am Sunday and then play their last pool match against England at 5.03am Sunday.
The Cup quarterfinals will start at 11.04pm Sunday, semifinals will start at 3.34am Monday and the Cup Final will be played at 6.44am Monday.
