IRB Sevens World Series
Ioane ruled out after travel documents mix-up
January 18, 2014
Akira Ioane of Auckland (l) and Brice Henderson of Manawatu compete for the ball, Manawatu v Auckland, NZRU National Sevens, Rotorua, January 12, 2014
Akira Ioane (l) has been replaced by George Tilsley in New Zealand's Sevens squad © Getty Images
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Auckland teenager Akira Ioane has withdrawn from the New Zealand team for the fourth leg of the IRB Sevens World Series in Las Vegas.

The All Blacks Sevens leave for Las Vegas on Sunday, with Manawatu's George Tilsley replacing Ioane after he was unable to obtain the required travel documents in time.

Ioane, 18, was the sole new cap in the team named earlier this week.

Tilsley has previously played for the All Blacks Sevens and was Player of the Tournament at the recent National Sevens tournament.

Coach Sir Gordon Tietjens is taking something of makeshift squad to Las Vegas, with playmaker Tomasi Cama one of three injured players ruled out.

Cama was a late withdrawal after suffering a calf injury in training earlier this week, while Ben Lam and Declan O'Donnell are also unavailable.

New Zealand have yet to win the Las Vegas leg of the World Series after five attempts, with their last US success coming back in 2008 when they won the San Diego Sevens.

New Zealand team: Scott Curry, Ambrose Curtis, Sam Dickson, DJ Forbes (captain), Bryce Heem, Mark Jackman, Gillies Kaka, Tim Mikkelson, Lote Raikabula, Sherwin Stowers, George Tilsley, Joe Webber.

© AAP

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