New Zealand Women's Sevens set for Langford

Black Fern Janna Vaughan will earn her first cap for New Zealand Women’s Sevens at this weekend’s Canada Sevens in Langford in one of two changes from the team that finished second at the Atlanta Sevens.

The Manawatu back also debuted in Canada for the Black Ferns last year. In the other change, Tyla Nathan Wong returns to the side replacing the injured Kelly Brazier.

The team is:

Michaela Blyde (Taranaki)
Theresa Fitzpatrick (Auckland)
Sarah Goss (captain) (Manawatu)
Tyla Nathan Wong (Auckland)
Shiray Tane (Hawke’s Bay)
Terina Te Tamaki (Waikato)
Ruby Tui (Canterbury)
Janna Vaughan (Manawatu)
Stacey Waaka (Waikato)
Niall Williams (Auckland)
Selica Winiata (Manawatu)
Portia Woodman (Counties Manukau)

Coach Sean Horan congratulated Vaughan on her selection.

“Janna fully deserves her chance to show us what she can do under the pressure of a tournament. She’s quick, she’s tough, and has excelled in fifteens so we’re really looking forward to seeing those skills in Langford.

“These two tournaments have all been about deepening the pool of talent we have available to help us select the best possible team for the Olympics.”

New Zealand came up just short against series leader Australia in a close final at last weekend’s Atlanta Sevens. The win pushed Australia out to 60 points on the World Series ladder, 14 points clear of New Zealand with just two rounds remaining. The team has been drawn in Pool B at Langford and will play USA, Fiji and Spain.

Debutants in Atlanta - Theresa Fitzpatrick, Terina Te Tamaki, and Stacey Waaka - have the chance to impress again with only one more tournament (France) left in the season before the New Zealand Olympic sevens team is selected in early July.

“We made some real progress in Atlanta with a very young side,” said Horan. “Seven players had never tasted the pressure of finals sevens rugby before so that’s great experience to bank. We’ll certainly be looking to build on that in Langford where another tough pool awaits us.”

Canada Sevens match schedule

(Langford is 19 hours behind NZT)
Saturday 16 April (Sunday 17 April NZT)

12.28 (07.28) v Fiji
15.20 (10.20) v Spain
18.12 (13.12) v USA

Sunday 17 April

Finals

Watch Langford Sevens finals live on SKY Sport 1

Finals; Monday 18 April from 9.40am