The next wave of New Zealand Sevens talent will embark on a tour of Japan this month with the All Blacks Sevens Development and Black Ferns Sevens Development teams preparing for international rugby. 
 

The womens squad includes two Southlanders, Amy Du Plessis and Kendall Buckingham, both formally of Southland Girls High School.

The development teams are set to play five matches across two days against the Japanese men’s and women’s teams.  

The Black Ferns Sevens Development team is coached by Jimmy Sinclair and Victoria Grant. After playing in Japan they will also take part in an invitational tournament in Auckland in March. The team features Crystal Mayes and Cheyelle Robins-Reti who have previously played for the Black Ferns Sevens.

The Black Ferns Sevens Development team is:

Kendall Buckingham - Canterbury

Amy du Plessis - Otago

Dhys Faleafaga - Wellington

Tynealle Fitzgerald - Bay of Plenty

Tysha Ikenasio - Auckland

Isla Norman-Bell - Auckland

Rina Paraone - Waikato

Mererangi Paul - Bay of Plenty

Cheyelle Robins-Reti - Waikato

Kennedy Simon - Auckland

Grace Steinmetz - Canterbury

Kiki Tahere - Bay of Plenty

Kalyn Takitimu-Cook - Manawatu

Article added: Monday 25 February 2019