All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams set to play at Hong Kong Sevens
New Zealand Rugby says squad announced for third leg of the Sevens World Series will form the basis of team to play at Hong Kong Stadium
Double Rugby World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams put himself in line for an appearance in Hong Kong after he was named in the New Zealand squad for this weekend’s Wellington leg of the World Sevens Series.
Williams, who also starred for New Zealand as a rugby league player, will make his sevens debut in his home tournament, with the country’s governing body saying the squad announced yesterday by coach Gordon Tietjens will likely to stay together for the Hong Kong round, from April 8-10.
“The squad for Wellington, that will form the basis for Hong Kong,” said New Zealand Rugby media manager Mike Jaspers.
I still have a lot to learn – it’s a whole new game. I’m a full time sevens player this year because I understand how hard it is
New Zealand have struggled during the first two sevens tournaments of the series and are seventh in the standings. They have already lost three times to the United States, who are among the emerging nations looking to boost their squads with sevens rugby set to make its debut at the Olympic Games in Rio.
The 30-year-old Williams had joined the side after his World Cup duties and said he had initially struggled with the fitness required, shedding three kilos in the first week of training.
The former boxer will be joined by fellow Super Rugby players Ardie Savea, Ben Lam, Augustine Pulu and brothers Rieko and Akira Ioane in a squad who have struggled with injuries to several of their specialist sevens players on this year’s circuit.
Williams tweeted that he was nervous about the Wellington event and wasn’t sure if he had what it takes to succeed in the code.