SBW to make Sevens debut in Wellington

Sonny Bill Williams (Getty Images)

Sonny Bill Williams has been picked to make his All Blacks Sevens debut in the Wellington leg of the world series.

The dual rugby and league international is the one new cap in coach Sir Gordon Tietjens' 12-strong squad for the tournament this weekend.

The 30-year-old Williams, who won a second World Cup winner's medal with the All Blacks last year, is targeting the Rio Olympics in August, when sevens will make its entry in the Olympic programme.

The New Zealand line-up for Wellington also features brothers Akira and Rieko Ioane, who have both played for the All Blacks Sevens but will be making their first appearance together in the same event.

Wellington loose forward Ardie Savea returns to the side after featuring across six tournaments in 2012..

Also back are Auckland wing Ben Lam and Taranaki outside back Kurt Baker, who both last played for the team in 2014.

New Zealand, the most successful country in the series' history, are back in seventh place on the points table after the first two rounds of this season's 10-tournament circuit.

Their Wellington pool opponents on Saturday are Russia, Scotland and South Africa.

Squad for Wellington Sevens: Kurt Baker (Taranaki), Sam Dickson (Canterbury), Akira Ioane (Auckland), Rieko Ioane (Auckland), Gillies Kaka (Hawke’s Bay, Ben Lam (Auckland), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Augustine Pulu (Counties Manukau), Ardie Savea (Wellington), Regan Ware (Waikato), Sonny Bill Williams (Counties Manukau), Joe Webber (Waikato)

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