IRB Sevens World Series
All Blacks Sevens lose Tomasi Cama
January 17, 2014

Tomasi Cama will miss round four of the IRB Sevens World Series, the playmaker among three players ruled out by injury as All Blacks Sevens selectors named one new cap for the tournament in Las Vegas on January 25 and 26.

The selectors called up Akira Ioane after the 18-year-old Aucklander starred at the New Zealand National Sevens in Rotorua.

All Blacks Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens is happy with the mix in the side even though the absence of Casa, with a calf injury sustained in training, "is a real concern".

Tietjens said Cama was "certainly the best half-back in the world in Sevens … but he will bounce back and at the same time we are building depth and Gillies Kaka, I am sure, will step up to that role".

"[Kaka] was the best player at the Rugby World Cup in Russia, and we have very capable Mark Jackman as well who can thrive in that position."

New Zealand, who are also missing Ben Lam and Declan O'Donnell because of injury, are yet to win in five attempts in Las Vegas. They last won in the United States in 2008, when they claimed the San Diego Sevens.

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

© AAP

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