McGarvey-Black set for long-awaited return as All Blacks Sevens name squad

All Blacks Sevens playmaker Ngarohi McGarvey-Black is set to make a long-awaited return that’s been six months in the making, selected in the touring squad for the final two HSBC SVNS World Championship in Valladolid and Bordeaux.

McGarvey-Black has been sidelined with a shoulder injury since international SVNS warm-up matches at the Ignite 7 tournament in November. But the playmaker is in line to return, as the All Blacks Sevens fight for the big prize on the SVNS Series.

That’s not the only piece of good news for the New Zealanders either, with Jayden Keelan is back in the mix after overcoming an ankle injury. Keelan was in some stellar form before picking up the injury at SVNS Cape Town in December.

With regular captain Tone Ng Shiu unavailable due to a knee injury, veteran forward Dylan Collier will lead the side. These next two events will determine the overall World Championship winners and the eight teams that will compete in SVNS 1 next season.

Scott Gregory, Brady Rush, Akuila Rokolisoa, Dylan Collier, Kitiona Vai, Sione Molia, Kele Lasaqa, Bradley Tocker, Roderick Solo, Regan Ware and Fletcher Morgan round out the squad, which has been hit by a big injury toll.

Sam Clarke, Joey Taumateine, Frank ‘The Tank’ Vaenuku, Sofa Notoa-Tipo and Ng Shiu are all out of the final two events of the season. The two-week European tour starts with SVNS Valladolid on May 29 to 31, before SVNS Bordeaux the following weekend.

The All Blacks Sevens kick their tournament off against SVNS 2 qualifiers Uruguay at 8:44 pm NZT on Friday, May 29. New Zealand then face SVNS juggernauts Argentina, before taking on Germany to round out pool play.

South Africa took out the regular season crown at carried that form into the World Championship Series, sitting in first place after winning the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens for the first time. Argentina and Spain round out the top three, with New Zealand in fourth.

All Blacks Sevens touring squad for SVNS Valladolid and Bordeaux

1. Scott Gregory

2. Brady Rush

4. Akuila Rokolisoa

5. Dylan Collier

6. Ngarohi McGarvey-Black

7. Kitiona Vai

15. Jayden Keelan

18. Sione Molia

41. Kele Lasaqa

42. Bradley Tocker

44. Roderick Solo

64. Regan Ware

97. Fletcher Morgan