Sonny Bill Williams in, Liam Messam out of NZ sevens team for Rio Olympics

All Blacks veteran Liam Messam has missed out on representing New Zealand in the rugby sevens at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Source: NZ Herald

Messam, as predicted on Friday, was omitted from the NZ men's sevens squad to contest the Olympic Games next month when it was announced in Auckland today.

While fellow All Black regular in recent years Sonny Bill Williams was named in the squad of 12 for men's coach Gordon Tietjens, it's understood Messam will now rejoin his old Super Rugby side the Chiefs for the remainder of their 2016 title-chasing campaign.

Williams' sister Niall Williams was named in the women's squad to be coached by Sean Horan, while Kurt Baker was another high-profile omission from the men's team.

The New Zealand women's side will be lead by Sarah Goss, with Kayla McAlister and Portia Woodman key cogs if they are to defeat Australia and win a gold medal.

The New Zealand women's side will be lead by Sarah Goss, with Kayla McAlister and Portia Woodman key cogs if they are to defeat Australia and win a gold medal.

Men's captain Scott Curry said he was honoured to be chosen to lead the first New Zealand men's sevens team to an Olympic Games.
 
"The Olympic Games is the pinnacle in world sport so to get an opportunity to go is really special. We know it's going to be a massive challenge – everyone will be eyeing that gold medal. Having said that we think we have a pretty strong team so we will certainly be giving it our best shot," Curry said..
 
"What's really exciting for me is just being part of the wider New Zealand Olympic team. To see other athletes from New Zealand in Rio who are the very best in their sport will be inspiring for sure."
 
Tietjens said the Games marked the pinnacle of his career.
 
"To go to the Olympic Games which is the best sporting event in the world will be quite special. It's going to be a challenging environment for all of us and all the teams as it's such a new experience.
 
"Every player has been selected because they've performed well during the Sevens Series and in the training camps since then so have earned their position. Sevens is very competitive, so it's important that we perform and if we perform to our potential, we'll have a really good chance of succeeding in Rio."

Goss said of the women's squad: "We have a great mix of really experienced and quality players. We all have our parts to play and we know what we have to do to perform to our best. We're all really excited to be part of history and to contribute to the success of the New Zealand Olympic team.
 
"We know Rio is going to be really different and we've been working hard to ensure we are prepared for the unexpected. It's all about being resilient and adaptable and if we do that, we know we'll be on track to be successful."
 
Horan said the players were very focused on performing to their best in what will be a new environment.
 
"We know it's a big challenge, but we've trained hard. We have the ability, and the character to cope with all that may come our way and we're very determined to build a legacy for rugby at the Olympics."
 
"We know we have one of the first opportunities to win a medal for New Zealand so we're determined to get the Games off to a great start and help our other team-mates." 

Scott Curry (captain) (Bay of Plenty)
Sam Dickson (Canterbury)
DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau)
Akira Ioane (Auckland)
Rieko Ioane (Auckland)
Gillies Kaka (Hawke's Bay)
Tim Mikkelson (Waikato)  
Augustine Pulu (Counties Manukau)
Teddy Stanaway (Bay of Plenty)
Regan Ware (Waikato)
Joe Webber (Waikato)
Sonny Bill Williams (Counties Manukau)
 
Travelling reserves; Sione Molia (Counties Manukau), Lewis Ormond (Taranaki),

NZ women's team:

Shakira Baker (Waikato)
Kelly Brazier (Bay of Plenty)
Gayle Broughton (Taranaki)
Theresa Fitzpatrick (Auckland)
Sarah Goss (captain) (Manawatu)
Kayla McAlister (Auckland)
Huriana Manuel (Auckland)
Tyla Nathan-Wong (Auckland)
Terina Te Tamaki (Waikato)
Ruby Tui (Canterbury)
Niall Williams (Auckland)
Portia Woodman (Counties Manukau)
 
Travelling reserves: Michaela Blyde (Manawatu), Shiray Tane (Hawke's Bay).

Images: PHOTOSPORT, GETTY IMAGES