Rugby Sevens: All Blacks Sevens, Black Ferns Sevens name strong sides for World Cup threepeat attempts

The All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens have named their respective squads, as both aim to defend their Rugby World Cup Sevens titles at Cape Town, South Africa.

Both New Zealand sides are bidding to win the World Cup for the third straight time, after victories at Moscow 2013 and San Francisco 2018.

Fresh from victory at the Los Angeles Sevens last weekend, the All Blacks Sevens squad sees eight players unavailable through injury.

Regulars Tim Mikkelson, Joe Webber and Andrew Knewstubb are all unavailable, joined in the casualty ward by Rhodes Featherstone, Kitiona Vai, Leroy Cater, Roderick Solo and Che Clark.

Sam Dickson and Sione Molia have been named as co-captains, in an experienced squad that also contains veterans Scott Curry and Kurt Baker.

The squad blends a healthy dose of youth with that experience, with youngers Brady Rush (23) and Caleb Tangitau (19) also featuring.

Black Ferns Sevens captain Sarah Hirini will play her 50th tournament for New Zealand, among a familiar cast of players.

A core of veterans, including Michaela Blyde, Kelly Brazier, Niall Williams and Portia Woodman, give the side an experienced group of winners, even with Black Ferns 15s convert Tyla Nathan-Wong unavailable through injury.

Teenager Jorja Miller (18) has also been named for her first tournament, after being on the selectors' radar since her early teens.

The Rugby World Cup Sevens uses a knockout format, with the New Zealand sides to play a sudden-death encounter first-up in the hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

The All Blacks Sevens face the winners of Scotland and Jamaica in their first match, while the Black Ferns Sevens will begin against Colombia. 

All Blacks Sevens: Kurt Baker, Dylan Collier, Scott Curry, Sam Dickson (cc), Moses Leo, Ngarohi McGarvey-Black, Sione Molia (cc), Tone Ng Shiu, Amanaki Nicole, Lewis Ormond, Akuila Rokolisoa, Brady Rush, Caleb Tangitau, Regan Ware

Black Ferns Sevens: Michaela Blyde, Kelly Brazier, Stacey Fluhler, Sarah Hirini, Jazmin Felix-Hotham, Shiray Kaka, Jorja Miller, Risaleeana Pouri-Lane, Alena Saili, Niall Williams, Tenika Willison, Portia Woodman