All Blacks Sonny Bill Williams and Liam Messam have been named in the New Zealand sevens squad for next year's world series and Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
With only days to go until the All Blacks World Cup squad is announced, Tietjens' selections raised a hint of doubt but it has been confirmed that Williams and Messam are both still available for Rugby World Cup selection.
TV NZ is reporting that Williams and Messam will not be participating in Super Rugby in 2016 as they concentrate fully on preparations for the Rio Olympics.
Hurricanes player, Ardie Savea has also been named in the squad.
Long time Sevens player Scott Curry was also named captain of the team after DJ Forbes retired from the role early this month.
Other selections of note are the young Auckland brothers Rieko and Akira Ioane.
Full Squad: Dylan Collier (Waikato), Scott Curry (Bay of Plenty), Sam Dickson (Canterbury), DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau), Gillies Kaka (Hawke’s Bay), Akira Ioane (Auckland), Rieko Ioane (Auckland), Ben Lam (Auckland) Liam Messam (Waikato), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Ardie Savea (Wellington), Sherwin Stowers (Counties Manukau), Sam Vaka (Counties Manukau), Beaudein Waaka (Taranaki), Joe Webber (Waikato), Sonny Bill Williams* (Counties Manukau)
Source: TV NZ
