All Blacks Sevens great back in the mix nine months after retiring

New Zealand Sevens have announced the team lists ahead of the Mount Maunganui Sevens this weekend, with an All Blacks Sevens great back in the mix less than nine months after calling time on his decorated international career.

Joe Webber is a five-time HSBC SVNS Series champion, who has gone to three Olympic Games and is a two-time Commonwealth Games medallist. The All Blacks Sevens have farewelled some all-time greats in recent years, and Webber’s retirement was another significant moment.

While the All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens are still weeks away from releasing their squads for the SVNS Series opener in Dubai, Webber does appear to be back in contention after being named to suit up this weekend.

New Zealand Sevens have released a 14-man All Blacks Sevens squad to play at Blake Park on Saturday 31 and November 1. Entry is free, with teams from Australia, Fiji, France, Japan, Samoa and the USA also in action, as part of the men’s and/or women’s matches.

Webber’s inclusion headlines the All Blacks Sevens team, which includes the 2026 Rookie SVNS Player of the Year, Kee Lasaqa. Sione Molia, Akuila Rokolisoa, Roderick Solo, Regan Ware and Ryan Williams also add SVNS Series experience.

Michael Manson debuted on the world’s premier sevens circuit last season, with the Southland speedster turning heads at SVNS Singapore. Manson would later tell RugbyPass that his all-time top rugby speed was 39.9 km/h.

The All Blacks Sevens squad also includes Nathaniel Barry, Fletcher Morgan, Brayden Neilson, Waisake Salabiau, Bradley Tocker and Triumph Voice.

Risi Pouri-Lane captains a strong Black Ferns Sevens group that features reigning SVNS Player of the Year Jorja Miller. Kelsey Teneti finished quite high on the inaugural RugbyPass Women’s SVNS MVP leaderboard last season, reflecting a career-best season on the circuit.

Keelah Bodle, Maia Davis, Jazmin Felix-Hotham, Renee Holmes, Kavanah Lene, Danii Mafoe, Manaia Nuku, Mahina Paul, Te Pumanawa O Toku Ate Rogers, Alena Saili, Olive Watherston and Katelyn Vahaakolo complete the list.

The Black Ferns Sevens played three matches against rivals Australia earlier this month, losing the first two in Sydney’s eastern suburbs before bouncing back the next day. Miller starred as the New Zealanders rounded out the ‘series’ with a clinical performance at Accor Stadium.

ALL BLACKS SEVENS SQUAD

Joe Webber
Kee Lasaqa
Sione Molia
Akuila Rokoliso
Roderick Solo
Regan Ware
Ryan Williams
Michael Manson
Nathaniel Barry
Fletcher Morgan
Brayden Neilson
Waisake Salabiau
Bradley Tocker
Triumph Voice

BLACK FERNS SEVENS SQUAD

Risi Pouri-Lane (captain)
Jorja Miller
Kelsey Teneti
Keelah Bodle
Maia Davis
Jazmin Felix-Hotham
Renee Holmes
Kavanah Lene
Danii Mafoe
Manaia Nuku
Mahina Paul
Te Pumanawa O Toku Ate Rogers
Alena Saili
Olive Watherston
Katelyn Vahaakolo