New Zealand 7s Head Coach Tomasi Cama has welcomed three new players to the squad as preparations begin for the upcoming 2024-25 HSBC SVNS Series. The additions include Oli Mathis from Waikato, Sofai Maka from North Harbour, and Joey Taumateine, who transitions from the New Zealand Men’s Sevens Development team.
Cama expressed enthusiasm about integrating younger talent into the squad, highlighting the importance of their rapid development. “As coaches, it excites us to bring young people in and help with their growth. They have to learn fast, but that is all part of the excitement,” he stated.
Dylan Collier has been appointed captain of the team, supported by experienced players Joe Webber and Sione Molia, both of whom have over 50 games representing the national team. The coaching team has emphasized a commitment to the team’s core values, focusing on hard work as the foundation for their exciting style of play.
Cama emphasized the team’s ambition, saying, “This team is about hard work, that will be the foundation that allows us to play a brand of rugby we all love; exciting, free playing, unstructured. That’s what we want to go out there to do.”
This new chapter for the New Zealand 7s team is filled with promise, as the integration of young players alongside seasoned veterans could lead to a dynamic mix that might redefine their competitive edge in the upcoming series. The combination of youth and experience suggests a hopeful future for the team’s performance on the international stage.
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