Stacey Waaka and Joe Webber to be back in black at SVNS Vancouver

Two-time Olympic gold medallist Stacey Waaka and All Blacks Sevens veteran Joe Webber will return to the HSBC SVNS Series in the fourth event of the season, which will take place at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium from February 21-23.

Waaka last represented New Zealand in top-flight sevens competition at the Paris Games, with the women in black overcoming giant-slayers Canada in the gold medal match. That was New Zealand’s second consecutive Olympic gold in women’s sevens after winning in Tokyo.

After the Paris Games, Waaka jumped codes to rugby league after linking up with the Brisbane Broncos in NRLW. Waaka was recognised as one of the competition’s best at season end, with the New Zealand winger named in the Dally M Team of the Year and the RLPA Dream Team.

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While Waaka wasn’t able to represent the Kiwi Ferns on the international stage after missing out on selection for the Pacific Championships through injury, the 29-year-old will step back out onto the world stage with the Black Ferns Sevens.

Waaka’s return headlines a star-studded Black Ferns Sevens squad, with coach Cory Sweeney naming a familiar group that also includes one debutant. Youngster Maia Davis is in line to play on the SVNS Series for the first time after being named in the touring squad.

Sarah Hirini will lead the New Zealanders once again, while Risi Pouri-Lane will continue to serve as the team’s vice-captain. Michaela Brake, Jazmin Felix-Hotham, Jorja Miller and Theresa Setefano are among the other big name inclusions in this squad.

New Zealand, who finished second in Perth last month after losing to arch-rivals Australia in an all-time classic decider, will look to go one better in Vancouver. Their quest for the title kicks off against Ireland, before also facing China and the USA in pool play.

The Black Ferns Sevens are the defending champions.

As the All Blacks Sevens, they’ve also named a strong squad. Dylan Collier will lead the men in black into battle, but the return of Webber and Jayden Keelan is the big takeaway from this squad announcement, with Webber in particular adding invaluable experience.

 

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Andrew Knewstubb, Sofai Maka, Oli Mathis, Ngarohi McGarvey-Black, Sione Molia, Tone Ng Shiu, Lewis Ormond, Brady Rush, Frank Vaenuku and Regan Ware have also been named. There’s plenty of experience in this squad, but Webber’s inclusion comes as a big boost.

The All Blacks Sevens, who were beaten in last year’s Men’s Cup final by Argentina, have been drawn in a pool of death with South Africa’s Blitzboks, Australia and Ireland. It’s a tough task for Tomasi Cama’s men who are looking to bounce back from a disappointing campaign in Perth.

At SVNS Perth, the New Zealanders failed to qualify for the quarter-finals for the second year on the bounce after losing to Uruguay and Fiji in pool play. While they were able to end their campaign on a winning note against Kenya, that only secured them ninth place.

Touring squads for SVNS Vancouver

Black Ferns Sevens

Michaela Brake, Maia Davis*, Dhys Faleafaga, Jazmin Felix-Hotham, Sarah Hirini (c), Jorja Miller, Manaia Nuku, Mahina Paul, Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (vc), Alena Saili, Theresa Setefano, Kelsey Teneti, Stacey Waaka

All Blacks Sevens

Dylan Collier (c), Jaydem Keelan, Andrew Knewstubb, Sofai Maka, Oli Mathis, Ngarohi McGarvey-Black, Sione Molia, Tone Ng Shiu, Lewis Ormond, Brady Rush, Frank Vaenuku, Regan Ware, Joe Weber

*Denotes potential debut