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Southland speedster earns SVNS shot as NZ name Singapore, Perth squads
By Finn Morton
Southland Stags flyer Michael Manson is in line to potentially debut for the All Blacks Sevens this month, named in a 13-man travelling squad for HSBC SVNS Series events at Singapore’s National Stadium and Perth’s HBF Park.
New Zealand Sevens have announced both the men’s and women’s travelling squads, as the Black Ferns Sevens look to bounce back after falling to arch-rivals Australia 26-12 in a one-sided SVNS Cape Town decider in December.
Manson headlines an All Blacks Sevens side that will look to build after mixed results to start the season, having taken out the Cup Final in Dubai before missing the quarter-finals the following weekend in South Africa’s Western Cape.
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After time with Otago, Southland and the Utah Warriors in Major League Rugby, Manson enjoyed a career-best year in 2025. The winger made three Super Rugby Pacific appearances for the Highlanders before suiting up in the Stags’ maroon and gold kit.
Manson started all 10 matches for Southland that season, lining up at either wing or fullback and crossing for six tries. The outside back was particularly impressive in a round nine defeat to Tasman, finishing with a hat-trick in an 80-minute performance.
All Blacks Sevens coach Tomasi Cama believes Manson is ready for the big time, selecting the speedster in a squad that boasts a mix of experience and youth. Tone Ng Shiu will captain the New Zealanders yet again, after recently reaching the 50-tournament mark in black.
Scott Gregory, Brady Rush, Akuila Rokolisoa, Kitiona Vai, Robert Rush, Kele Lasaqa, Regan Ware, Frank Vaenuku, Sofai Notoa-Tipo, Riley Williams and Fletcher Morgan round out the squad, which looks a little bit different compared to Cape Town.
The All Blacks Sevens have tasted success at SVNS Singapore, last taking out the title at the National Stadium in 2024. They have been drawn in Pool B along with reigning League Winners Argentina, Olympic champions France, and rivals Australia.
Risi Pouri-Lane and Jorja Miller headline a strong Black Ferns Sevens squad that includes Olympic gold medallists and breakthrough stars. World Rugby 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year Braxton Sorensen-McGee has been selected after debuting late last year.
Stacey Waaka and Jazmin Felix-Hotham are among those bringing big-game experience to this lineup. Mahina Paul, Maia Davis, Alena Saili, Dani Mafoe, Jaymie Kolose, Olive Watherson, Kelsey Teneti and Katelyn Vahaakolo have also been selected.
The Black Ferns Sevens, who won the season opener at Dubai’s The Sevens Stadium, are in Pool B with France, Canada and Great Britain. Australia will take on the USA, Japan and Fiji in the other women’s pool, with the top-two sides from each group progressing to the semi-finals.
SVNS Singapore is the third stop of the season, taking place on January 31 to February 1. The SVNS 1 circuit then heads to Perth’s HBF Park for the fourth regular-season leg, held over the weekend on February 7 to 8.
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