Bay stars USA bound for World Cup Sevens

The All Blacks Sevens squad at the Mount. Photo: NZ Rugby Union.

Six Bay of Plenty men and women sevens stars have made the teams to defend New Zealand's double titles at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco.

Scott Curry and Regan Ware were named in the All Black Sevens squad, while Michaela Blyde, Kelly Brazier, Gayle Broughton and Ruby Tui will join the Black Ferns Sevens in the USA.

The two lineups were announced yesterday at the national sevens high performance centre in Mt Maunganui. They will fly out to USA this weekend aiming to defend the titles they won in 2013 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, currently the centrepiece of the FIFA World Cup.

Rotorua-born Curry who has been co-captaining the men's side alongside Waikato's Tim Mikkelson will continue in that role for the tournament at San Fransisco's AT & T Park.

The Bay's Joe Webber and Ngarohi McGarvey-Black were also contenders for All Black Sevens but were listed as unavailable for selection.

One slip will see the end of the two teams' campaigns under the cut-throat new tournament structure in the US. As a straight knockout format the loser of each game played will be on their way home.

The two teams should not be unduly pressured in their opening encounters however. The Black Ferns Sevens launch their campaign against Mexico at 6:50am on Saturday July 21, while the All Blacks Sevens meet the winner of the pre-round of 16 match between Russia and Hong Kong the same day at 3:30pm (NZ time).

The All Blacks Sevens team:

Kurt Baker (Manawatu), Dylan Collier (Waikato), Scott Curry – co-captain (Bay of Plenty), Trael Joass (Tasman), Andrew Knewstubb (Horowhenua Kapiti), Jona Nareki (Otago), Tim Mikkelson – co-captain (Waikato), Sione Molia (Counties Manukau), Salesi Rayasi (Auckland), Joe Ravouvou (Auckland), Akuila Rokolisoa (Auckland), Regan Ware (Bay of Plenty)

The Black Ferns Sevens team:

Shakira Baker (Waikato), Michaela Blyde (Bay of Plenty), Kelly Brazier (Bay of Plenty), Gayle Broughton (Bay of Plenty), Theresa Fitzpatrick (Auckland), Sarah Goss - captain (Manawatu), Tyla Nathan-Wong (Auckland), Ruby Tui (Bay of Plenty), Stacey Waaka (Waikato), Niall Williams (Auckland), Tenika Willison (Waikato), Portia Woodman (Counties Manukau)

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