Two months out from naming the Olympic sevens squads and New Zealand Rugby is not ruling out late additions to bolster the quest for gold medals.
Ardie Savea's backflip on committing to Rio has opened the possibility of Sir Gordon Tietjens shoulder‑tapping other leading 15's contenders to reconsider joining his squad.
While the likes of World Series leaders Fiji have called in five European‑based 15's stars including Leone Nakarawa, Waisea Nayacalevu, Josua Tuisova, Samisoni Viriviri and Semi Kunatani, Tietjens' stocks have been ravaged through injury and defections.
Ben Smith and Beauden Barrett were just two high‑profile candidates who turned down the chance to go to Rio.
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew refused to cancel out the possibility of All Blacks or other Super Rugby players who have not featured on the circuit this year having a change of heart before the Olympic team is revealed in early July.
Tietjens names his 16‑man squad for the Paris 7s tomorrow.
New Zealand is pooled with Singapore 7s champion Kenya, Portugal and Russia.
Meanwhile Fiji is pooled with Scotland, Wales and Samoa for the Paris 7's.
They will take on Scotland in the first pool match of the Paris 7s at 5.44am next Saturday.
We take on Wales at 9.14pm next Saturday and our last pool match is against Samoa at 12.47am next Sunday.
The Paris 7s Cup quarters will start at 9.13pm Sunday, the Cup semis will start at 1.03am Monday while the Cup Final will kick off at 4.15am Monday.
Source : stuff.co
