Etene Nanai‑Seturo is on his way to the Gold Coast after injury and illness struck both New Zealand's sevens camps.
The 18‑year‑old was the subject of a cross‑code dispute between New Zealand Rugby and the New Zealand Warriors earlier this year, before eventually signing with New Zealand Rugby Union.
He was a surprise omission from the initial men's Commonwealth Games squad but was called up on Tuesday after Ngarohi Mc-Garvey Black suffered an ankle injury in a warm-up match last week, and travelling reserve Caleb Clarke was forced to return to New Zealand for surgery after being diagnosed with appendicitis.
A decision on Clarke's replacement will be made over the next few days, with their first game set for April 14.
The women's team has also been hit with injury, as Kat Whata‑Simpkins has been ruled out with a leg injury. Tenika Willison has been moved from travelling reserve to the 12‑strong squad, while Alena Saili joins the team as the travelling reserve.
Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Games starts tomorrow while the 7s competition begins next Friday.
Meanwhile, Fiji will face off against Wales, Uganda and Sri Lanka in their pool games in the 7s competition.
