New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens believes Sonny Bill Williams is not ready to play the shortened version of the game yet.
Despite losing several players to injury at the Dubai Sevens, Tietjens has resisted the temptation to call up the Rugby World Cup winner to his squad for this weekend's Cape Town Sevens.
Williams, who is a contracted member of the New Zealand Sevens squad, was in Dubai as a spectator at the weekend and was keen to play when his team's injuries were mounting but Tietjens opted not to risk him.
Tietjens says Williams has never played Sevens.
He says they have a plan for him and they will stick to that.
Five players are returning to New Zealand after sustaining injuries in Dubai.
They are Scott Curry, Gillies Kaka, Tim Mikkelson, Sherwin Stowers and Regan Ware.
They have been replaced by All Blacks Sevens squad members Antonio Kirikiri and Beaudein Waaka.
Waaka has recovered from a knee injury sustained in Dubai last week after passing a fitness test on Sunday.
NZ is in Pool D with Samoa, France and Canada for the Cape Town 7s.
Source: Planet Rugby
