Sonny Bill Williams has been omitted from the All Blacks Sevens squad in Las Vegas while former captain Liam Messam makes a return to the sevens fold since 2010.

DJ Forbes is also making a comeback to the squad.

Coach Sir Gordon Tietjens says he has chosen to rest Williams, following his outstanding performances at tournaments in Wellington and Sydney which was both won by New Zealand.

Tietjens also left out experienced back Sherwin Stowers when reducing his 14‑strong traveling squad to 12 ahead of the three‑day tournament starting tomorrow.

Speedsters Sione Molia and Josh van Lieshout will both make their World Series debut.

Other notable absentees are Ardie Savea, Reiko and Akira Ioane and Ben Lam who have returned to their Super Rugby franchises.

Meanwhile, Fiji will take on Samoa at 1.19pm tomorrow in their first pool match. They will then play France at 4.20pm tomorrow.

Their last pool game is against Argentina at 8.38am Sunday.

The Cup quarterfinals will start at 1.31pm Sunday.

The semifinals kicks off at 8.50am Monday while the Cup Final will kick off at 11.57am next Monday.
 

Source : stuff.co