Messam, Sonny Bill Williams Named in NZ Olympic Sevens Squad

All Blacks Liam Messam and Sonny Bill Williams have been named in the New Zealand rugby sevens squad for next year's Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Flanker Messam and center Williams, a convert from rugby league, were included in the 16-man squad named Wednesday by coach Gordon Tietjens.

Tietjens said the All Blacks players had made the decision to commit to sevens, which will be contested at an Olympic Games for the first time next year.

Flanker Ardie Savea, who plays Super Rugby for the Wellington-based Hurricanes, has also been named in the squad. Scott Curry has taken over as captain from veteran D.J. Forbes who remains a member of the squad but decided to relinquish the captaincy to concentrate on fitness issues.