Early Casualties ahead of Olympic 7s

Great Britain and New Zealand have already been forced to make changes to their main roster for the Olympic Games before a ball has even been kicked. The news comes just days before the historic first appearance of sevens in the world’s biggest athletic spectacle.

Alex Davis has been ruled out for the Brits after injuring his ankle during training. England teammate Ruaridh McConnachie has been called up as a replacement. Another England standout, Charlie Hayter, will now fly to Brazil to join Luke Treharne as an injury reserve.

GREAT BRITAIN (revised)
Mark Bennett, Dan Bibby, Phil Burgess, Sam Cross, James Davies, Ollie Lindsay-Hague, Ruaridh McConnachie, Tom Mitchell (capt.), Dan Norton, Mark Robertson, James Rodwell, Marcus Watson

Reserves: Charlie Hayter, Luke Treharne

New Zealand have also suffered a loss with Teddy Stanaway ruled out with a broken hand, suffered during a training match against the US Eagles in Florida. Lewis Ormond has been added from the reserves bench, and Liam Messam is now headed to Rio to join the reserve list.

NEW ZEALAND (revised)
Scott Curry (capt.), Sam Dickson, DJ Forbes, Akira Ioane, Rieko Ioane, Gillies Kaka, Tim Mikkelson, Lewis Ormond, Augustine Pulu, Regan Ware, Joe Webber, Sonny Bill Williams

Reserves: Liam Messam, Sione Molia

Meanwhile the USA Women’s side has made a change to their reserve list, with Meya Bizer replaced by Cheta Emba due to injury. The USA Men’s team has opted to take three traveling reserves, confirmed as Nate Augspurger, Martin Iosefo, and Shalom Suniula.