Sevens stars return for US leg

With injuries and rehabilitation behind them, the Bay of Plenty's Morgan Morrow and Alexis Tapsell will be hoping some of the New Zealand women's sevens winning form will rub off on them.

The pair, along with the Bay's Kelly Brazier, have all been included for the third leg of the World Rugby's Women's Sevens Series in Atlanta, USA on March 14 and 15.


Bay of Plenty's Morgan Morrow returns from injury for the US leg of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Morrow and Tapsell were sidelined with injury for the first two legs of the series, and had to watch their teammates from the stands as they clinched a winning start with in Dubai and Sao Paulo.

Heading to the US, the high flying Kiwis will look to extend their slender lead in the world series standings. They are currently on 40 points ahead of Australia on 36 and Canada (32).

The Bay pair are part of four changes from the side that won in Sao Paulo, including the return of Honey Hireme and Tapsell, members of the 2013 World Champion side. Michaela Blyde is also back from injury.

Hireme and Tapsell, both regular members of the 2013 team which won the World Cup in Moscow, are selected for the first time in 2015. Hireme last played in China in the 2013/14 season and coach Sean Horan is delighted to have a player of her calibre back.

'She has put in a lot of hard work and is committed to our approach,” says Sean. 'Honey delivers more fire power in the forwards which is something we were lacking a little. It's great to welcome her back.”

Returning squad member Lavinia Gould trained this week, but picked up a knee injury which ruled her out of selection.

Gayle Broughton and Kat Whata-Simpkins were not available after being injured in Sao Paulo and Huriana Manuel remains unavailable due to injury.

Horan says after the Atlanta tournament, 18 players would have turned out for the team in the 2014/15 season, underlining the depth in the squad.

'Over the past three years we've had a core of good players and we've been able to grow a quality pool of players around that,” adds Sean. 'It creates a competitive environment for players wanting to make the team and that's ultimately good for performance.

'The game we're playing now is technically and tactically getting better. We're looking after the ball better, our defensive structures are getting stronger and we're exposing the spaces. I'm pleased about where we're heading."

Horan believes Australia remain the big threat in Atlanta.

'They're definitely right on our heels,” explains Sean, 'but also the likes of Canada, USA, France, England and Russia are all improving.

'The pressure's coming on and you can see just how the game is progressing, which is good. There are no easy games. Everybody brings their A game against us and we have to learn to deal with that and focus on what we do well.”

The team departs for Atlanta on Monday night and will face Russia, South Africa and USA in pool play.

NZ Womens Sevens side:

Michaela Blyde (Taranaki), Kelly Brazier, Morgan Morrow, Alexis Tapsell (Bay of Plenty), Sarah Goss, Selica Winiata (Manawatu), Honey Hireme (Waikato), Kayla McAlister, Tyla Nathan-Wong, Hazel Tubic, Portia Woodman (Auckland), Ruby Tui (Canterbury).

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