New Zealand U17 and U18 schoolgirls teams selected for World Schools tournament

The Condor 7s tournament teams - many of these players will be playing this weekend.

The New Zealand U17 and U18 girls’ sevens teams have both been selected for the World School Sevens at Sacred Heart College in Auckland this coming weekend. 

Players attended trials across the country in October after a nomination process was completed by secondary schools.

A total of 54 players were selected to be part of the wider training group and played in several regional sevens tournaments over the past eight weeks before the final squads were selected.

New Zealand Rugby’s Talent Development Sevens Manager Chad Tuoro said the selection process had been extensive.

“The nomination process allowed us to engage with non-rugby players from other sports who had the athletic attributes we were looking for.

“The teams assemble in Auckland today which is also the start of our preparation for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Argentina next October. We will be aiming to qualify at the Oceania Qualifier in Sydney next April,” said Tuoro.

The New Zealand Under 17 and Under 18 teams will come up against opposition from Australia, Samoa, Japan and Tonga at this weekend’s World School Sevens tournament. SKY will be broadcasting on Sky Sport 1 from 12.30pm and College Sport Media will cover the tournament.

Teams 

New Zealand U18 Girls Sevens

Amy du Plessis (Southland Girls' High School)
Aroranga Tauranga (Hamilton Girls' High School)
Carys Dallinger (Manukura)
Georgia Ponsonby (Feilding High School)
Grace Brooker (Christchurch Girls' High School) 
Hannah Brough (Te Kuiti High School)
Isla Norman-Bell (Howick College)
Islay Fowler (University of Otago Rugby Club)
Ivamere Livani (Howick College)
Kororia Heyblom (Rangiuru Rugby Club)
Melanie Puckett (St Margaret's College)
Rina Paraone (University of Waikato Rugby Club)
Sydnee Wilkins (Motueka High School)
Utumalama Atonio (Rosehill College)

Unavailable for selection: Ora Williams (Rotoiti Rugby Club), Lyric Faleafaga (St Mary's College), Ainsleyanna Puletua (St Mary's College), Seria Murray-Wihongi (Whangarei Girl's High School)

New Zealand U 17 Girls Sevens

Azalleyah Maaka (Gisborne Girls' High School)
Dhys Falefaga (St Mary's College)
Iritana Hohaia (Opunake High School)
Isabella Carter (Rangi Ruru Girls' School)
Jazmin Hotham (Hamilton Girls' High School)
Kalyn Takitimu-Cook (Manukura School)
Mahina Alex Paul (St Kentigern College)
Montessa Tairakena (Hamilton Girls' High School)
Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (Motueka High School)
Tiana Davison (Sacred Heart Girls' College)
Tynealle Fitzgerald (Trident College)
Lonita Ngalu (Hamilton Girls' High School)
Lasalle Lefale (Howick College)
Brooke Neilson (New Plymouth Girls' High School)