Dougie gets Games call-up

Dougie gets Games call-up

6 Feb 2006

Doug Howlett has been named in the All Black Sevens squad for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Howlett is one of five Super 14 players coach Gordon Tietjens has been allowed to pluck from the ranks of the New Zealand franchises.

Tietjens is clearly in need of a boost for his struggling squad who have made an ordinary start to the defence of their IRB sevens series crown. That he has gone for Howlett from the Blues, though, is somewhat of a surprise as he has never played any international sevens rugby.

Tietjens’ other four selections are less of a surprise, the quartet all having had prior sevens experience. Chiefs winger Sosene Anesi, Crusaders loose forward Tanerau Latimer, Highlanders flanker Josh Blackie and Hurricanes utility back Tamati Ellison join Howlett as the additions to the existing 17-man national training squad.

Squad:

Sosene Anesi (Waikato), Charles Baxter (Bay of Plenty), Josh Blackie (Otago), Edwin Cocker (Otago), Tamati Ellison (Wellington), DJ Forbes (Auckland), Doug Howlett (Auckland), Craig Hudson (North Harbour), Nigel Hunt (Wellington), Tafai Ioasa (Hawke’s Bay), Cory Jane (Wellington), Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (North Harbour), James Maher (Counties Manukau), Lachie Munro (Auckland), Alfred Pelenise (Canterbury), Lote Raikabula (Wellington), Hayden Reid (Bay of Plenty), Alando Soakai (Otago), Dwayne Sweeney (Waikato), Onosa’i Tololima-Auva’a (Auckland), Amasio Valence (Auckland).


9 Comments

  • 1.Cubiczirconia: Reply to this comment
    6 Feb 2006, 10:04 am

    Now will the bok 7′s team get to choose whoever they want to? Maybe Russell should play …

  • 2.Ig: Reply to this comment
    6 Feb 2006, 10:10 am

    It would be nice if the powers that shouldn’t be allowed us to pick our best squad…including a couple of S14 players – and give it priority !

  • 3.Derek Noble: Reply to this comment
    6 Feb 2006, 11:54 am

    Wrong option by New Zealand I think. The Commonwealth games is a small neighbourly party, and less important than Super 14.

  • 4.Harry Dampers: Reply to this comment
    6 Feb 2006, 12:01 pm

    Unfortunately Ig teams chosen by South African S14 clubs and even the national side have to comply with skin colour requirements.

    Never ever is a side chosen on merit.

  • 5.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    6 Feb 2006, 12:05 pm

    ARU will be using their big name players at the games which shows how important they feel the exposure will be over here in Aus.

    No doubt the Kiwi’s feel the same.

  • 6.babybok: Reply to this comment
    6 Feb 2006, 12:13 pm

    It’s not the final selection, squad will be cut to 12 for the C’Games.

  • 7.Cubiczirconia: Reply to this comment
    6 Feb 2006, 14:54 pm

    So will Sarfu let Russell and Floors play or will they have to stay with the Super 14 squads?

  • 8.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    6 Feb 2006, 17:30 pm

    AJ Venter
    Brent Russell
    Fabian Juries
    The Basson bloke
    Habana
    Big Vic
    Andre Pretorius
    Wynand Olivier
    Schalk Brits
    Ruan Pienaar/Meyer Bosman

    I think this 7′s squad wouldn’t do too badly.

  • 9.BrumbyIV: Reply to this comment
    6 Feb 2006, 18:12 pm

    most of the tickets are sold so the atmosphere will be awesome at the Telstra Dome

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