All Blacks Sevens forced into changes

Ahead of flying out to Las Vegas for the USA Sevens, All Blacks Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has been forced to make two key changes to his squad following injuries to captain DJ Forbes and flyer Kurt Baker.

Forbes injured a knee and Baker a hamstring during the kiwis' home event, the Hertz Sevens in Wellington, at which they finished in third place.

Tietjens has called up Mark Jackman and Milford Keresoma, who are both contracted All Blacks Sevens players.

Jackman started the season on the Gold Coast but injured a thumb and missed rounds two and three in Dubai and South Africa, where Keresoma did take part.

After four rounds in the HSBC Sevens World Series New Zealand is the only side to have reached four Cup quarter finals and leads with 77 points, from second-placed Kenya (56).

The USA Sevens tournament takes place at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on 8-10 February and some tickets are still available.

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