St Kent’s fullback Etene Nanai to make All Black Sevens debut

2017 Auckland Premier 1A champion and Top 4 semi-finalist Saint Kenitgern College have propelled one of their own to national honours, with fullback Etene Nanai selected in the All Black Sevens for this weekend’s World Rugby Sydney Sevens.

Nanai joins the All Black Sevens team for Sydney for his first time in a senior national team. He has previously represented the New Zealand Secondary Schools team, beating Australia and Tonga in October. 

All Blacks Sevens coach Clarke Laidlaw says this of Nanai "Etene is a young player with huge potential, and he is enjoying his rugby. It's exciting for him and his family to get this opportunity in Sydney.”
The team arrived in Sydney on Sunday to begin preparation for the tournament.

"We face a big challenge in Russia, Samoa and Fiji in pool stages, so this week has been about making sure our preparation is right heading into Friday," said Laidlaw.

Former Mount Albert Grammar School co-captain Caleb Clarke has been named as the 13th man and will be brought into the playing 12 if required as injury cover.

The team is (*indicates debut):

1. Scott Curry
2. Tim Mikkelson
3. Teddy Stanaway
4. Joe Ravouvou
5. Luke Masirewa
6. Vilimoni Koroi
7. Sam Dickson
8. Andrew Knewstubb
9. Regan Ware
10. Kurt Baker
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo*
12. Sione Molia
13. Caleb Clarke*

Friday 26 January
9.50pm NZT v Russia

Saturday 27 January
6.31pm NZT v Samoa
9.42pm NZT v Fiji
Sunday 28 January – Finals Day
     
2017/2018 Schedule
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, 1-2 December, Dubai – RUNNERS UP
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, 9-10 December, Cape Town - WINNERS
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, 26-28 January, Sydney
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, 3-4 February, Hamilton
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, 2-4 March, Las Vegas
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, 10-11 March, Vancouver
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, 6-8 April, Hong Kong
Commonwealth Games, 13-15 April, Gold Coast
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, 28-29 April, Singapore
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, 2-3 June, London
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, 8-10 June, Paris
Rugby World Cup Sevens, 20-22 July, San Francisco