Youth Olympic Games sevens team ready for action

The 2018 Youth Olympic Games is underway in Bruenos Aires, with many New Zealand teams and individuals already in action across several sports.
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The U18 Girls sevens rugby team is busy training and preparing for their tournament that takes place this coming Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

A selection of Youth Olympic Games action is being broadcast on SKY, on channels 56 and 57.

The U18 rugby team's draw is:

Saturday 13 October
12.00pm New Zealand v Tunisia (4am, Sunday 14 October - NZT)
3.05pm New Zealand v Colombia (7.05am, Sunday 14 October - NZT)

Sunday 14 October
12.00pm New Zealand v France (4am, Monday 15 October - NZT)
3.05pm New Zealand v Canada (7.05am, Monday 15 October - NZT)

Monday 15 October
9.50am New Zealand v Kazakhstan (1.50am, Tuesday 16 October - NZT)
Play off matches will be held on Monday 15 October

The New Zealand Youth Olympic Games Sevens team is;

Arorangi Tauranga (Hamilton Girls' High School)
Azalleyah Maaka (Gisborne Girls' High School)
Carys Dallinger (Manukura)
Hinemoa  Watene (Howick College)
Iritana Hohaia (Opunake High School)
Kalyn Takitimu Cook (Manukura)
Kiani Tahere (Te Wharekura o Mauao)
Mahina Paul (Saint Kentigern College)
Montessa Tairakena (Hamilton Girls' High School)
Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (captain, Motueka High School 2017)
Tiana Davison (Sacred Heart Girls' College, New Plymouth)
Tynealle Fitzgerald (Rangiuru Rugby Club) 

Carys Dallinger, Kiani Tahere and Mahina Paul were brought into the squad to replace Dhys Faleafaga, Jazmin Hotham (injuries) and Ricshay Lemalu (withdrawn).

As well as rugby, Paul is a member of the St Kent's Premier netball team and a New Zealand U18 touch player. Tahare, formerly of the Kapiti Coast and the Petone Rugby Club in Wellington is now at school in the Bay of Plenty and Carys Dallinger was Manukura's fullback at the recent Top 4 tournament and has played NPC rugby for the Manawatu Cyclones.

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