Final squads declared for Hong Kong Sevens
Towering forward Setefano Cakau returns to the Fiji Sevens line-up
All 24 nations have declared their final squads of 12 for the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens, the fifth round of the World Series to played at Hong Kong Stadium on 25-27 March.
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Joint Series leaders England and New Zealand both name settled squads. England's one change is to recall Oliver Lindsay-Hague, who helped inspire them to victory earlier in the season in Dubai, while New Zealand are boosted by the return to fitness of their captain DJ Forbes, who missed the last event in Las Vegas.
Closest challengers Fiji and Samoa both name one debutant. Fiji call up Mitieli Namisi alongside experienced stars Setefano Cakau, Dale Tonawai, Watisoni Votu and David Batiratu. Samoa leave out last season's player of the year Mikaele Pesamino but give a first Sevens cap to Fale So'oialo.
Most recent Cup champions, fifth-ranked South Africa, also name one new cap, Tshotsho Mbovane, and recall experienced duo Paul Delport and Niel Powell.
In all, 62 players will make their Sevens World Series debuts in Hong Kong with Mexico competing as a nation on the sport's grandest stage for the first time.
England and New Zealand currently both sit on 80 points after the first four events in Dubai, South Africa, New Zealand and USA. With defending Hong Kong champions Samoa and perennial crowd favourites Fiji only 16 points adrift, Hong Kong promises to be pivotal for the outcome of the Series.
"We're halfway through and we see real importance to do well here. There are 24 teams, more points on offer and we know how important it is for us, but also for the other teams who are there or thereabouts in the Series," said New Zealand coach, Gordon Tietjens.
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