Super Rugby teams have released four rising New Zealand backs to join the All Blacks Sevens squad in pursuit of a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Caleb Clarke (Blues), Etene Nanai-Seturo (Chiefs), Salesi Rayasi (Hurricanes) and Scott Gregory (Highlanders) will train and play for the national sevens squad, with three of them joining the 2020 Olympic programme later this year, before the world series circuit opener.
Super Rugby newcomer Gregory will train with the Highlanders until March, before making the transition.
The foursome have all played international sevens and follow in the footsteps of Sonny Bill Williams, who skipped Super Rugby in 2016 to be part of New Zealand's failed Rio Olympics campaigns.
Nanai-Seturo was a member of the Commonwealth Games gold-medal winning team last year, while Rayasi - the oldest of the additions at 22 - was in the All Blacks Sevens side that won the World Cup in San Francisco. Both made their Super Rugby debuts this year.
"We're delighted that these players have put up their hand and want to have a crack at making the Olympic squad," says NZ Rugby high performance head Mike Anthony.
"One of the biggest considerations in this process has been the team environment. We have a group of contracted players that have won the Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup last year, so we've very mindful that those coming in need to complement that group.
"We think we have the right mix of players that are coming n - size, speed and power, they will be a great addition to the All Blacks Sevens programme."
The Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, and Highlanders are free to recruit an additional player to their 2020 squads.
AAP
