Kurt Baker will captain the New Zealand sevens team for the first time after the squad lost several key players for this weekend's round of the World 7s Series in Paris.
Veteran Tim Mikkelson, former captain DJ Forbes and former All Black Liam Messam have been ruled out through injury, robbing the squad off a huge amount of experience.
Scott Curry remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from shoulder surgery.
Augustine Pulu returns to the side after recovering from a broken arm.
Coach Sir Gordon Tietjens is confident Mikkelson and Forbes should be back for the final round in London next weekend.
Dylan Collier, Regan Ware and Sonny Bill Williams are also in the squad.
New Zealand plays Russia, Portugal and Kenya in pool A.
New Zealand squad: Pita Ahki, Kurt Baker, Dylan Collier, Akira Ioane, Rieko Ioane, Gillies Kaka, Sione Molia, Lewis Ormond, Augustine Pulu, Teddy Stanaway, Regan Ware, Sonny Bill Williams.
Source: Radio NZ
