Jordan Bunce, son of former All Black legend Frank, is one of six new faces included in the New Zealand Sevens squad of contracted players for the 2014/15 season.

New Zealand Sevens head coach Gordon Tietjens said: “Jordan played particularly well at the National Sevens in Rotorua this year and he’s pushed on and played well for Manawatu. He's certainly done enough to secure a contract. He's exciting, fast, understands the game and, like his Dad, is a very talented defender as well.”

Bunce junior had his first taste of international rugby last month when he turned out for a New Zealand development team at the Oceania Sevens in Noosa. 

The Noosa event preceded the opening leg of the Sevens World Series on Australia’s Gold Coast, where New Zealand had to be content with victory in the Plate final.

New Zealand’s defeat to England in the Cup quarter-final leaves them in fifth position in the standings going into the next tournament in Dubai (5-6 December).

Tietjens has also brought in Wellington loose forward Murphy Taramai, who came to Tietjen’s attention during a recent Sydney sevens tournament and was a member of the Wellington Sevens team that took out the National Sevens title in January.

“I thought he was outstanding in Sydney playing for Wellington in the semi and final. He has all the attributes; strong, very physical, and of course has the pace factor on top of being a good defender so he really impressed me.”

Counties Manukau centre Sam Vaka, Otago fullback Tony Ensor, Bay of Plenty loose forward Joe Tupe and Otago back and former New Zealand Under 20 player Fa'asiu Fuatai are the other newcomers. 

The extended squad is anchored by a core of experienced players who have been the mainstay of the All Blacks Sevens through recent seasons, including long-serving captain DJ Forbes, IRB Sevens Player of the Year 2013 Tim Mikkelson, IRB Sevens Dream Team 2014 member Scott Curry and IRB Sevens Rookie of the Year 2014 Ambrose Curtis. 

Tietjens names his 12 players for Dubai and Port Elizabeth on Thursday 27 November. 

The contracted players are: Jordan Bunce*, Tomasi Cama, Scott Curry, Ambrose Curtis, Sam Dickson, Tony Ensor*, DJ Forbes, Fa'asiu Fuatai*, Gillies Kaka, Tim Mikkelson, Declan O'Donnell, Lote Raikabula, Sherwin Stowers, Murphy Taramai*, Joe Tupe*, Joe Webber, Sam Vaka*    
*denotes new player