Pelenise returns for New Zealand Sevens

[(IRB.COM) Tuesday 26 February 2008] ：

Afeleke Pelenise has now recovered from his knee injury .

Afeleke Pelenise returns to the New Zealand Sevens squad for the first of two training camps as coach Gordon Tietjens prepares his runaway leaders for the next two legs of the IRB Sevens World Series in Hong Kong and Adelaide.

The 2007 IRB Sevens Player of the Year has missed New Zealand's victories in the first four tournaments of the 2007/08 IRB Sevens World Series while recovering from a knee injury, but has been named in the 15-man squad for the training camp in Ohope.

However while Pelenise, who scored 41 tries last season, will be in the Bay of Plenty town for the 29 February to 3 March camp, two of New Zealand Sevens' other stars will not with captain DJ Forbes and Steven Yates missing as they are both getting married.

The other 10 members of the squad who won the last two IRB Sevens World Series events in Wellington and San Diego earlier this month will be at the camp, among them the exciting youngster Victor Vito who has already scored 20 tries in his debut season.

Some members of the training squad will also play in the Taneatua Sevens tournament in Whakatane on Saturday, the importance of game time for his players not lost on Tietjens, whose side have a 32-point lead in the Series at the halfway point and are favourites to claim an eighth overall title in nine years.

"There is a long break between the San Diego and Hong Kong tournaments and while training camps provide additional fitness and conditioning, it is still important that players remain 'game sharp'. This tournament is an opportunity for these players to do just that," Tietjens said.

The second training camp will take place at Mount Maunganui from 18-21 March, after which Tietjens will name the 12-man squad charged with continuing their record breaking unbeaten run - currently 36 matches - in Hong Kong and Adelaide.

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