New Zealand's Exia Edwards has been denied the chance to play in the first ever Women's Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai this weekend after being ruled out with a suspected kidney infection.
Edwards, a Women's Rugby World Cup winner with the Black Ferns in the 15-a-side game, became ill soon after arriving in Dubai and is currently being treated in hospital.
She will be replaced in the squad by Auckland's Angela McGregor, who will arrive in Dubai on Thursday, the day before the 16-team women's competition gets underway at The Sevens.
“It’s naturally a huge disappointment for Exia after all the hard work she has put in to prepare for this tournament," said coach Darryl Suasua. "But right now, the focus is on getting her back to health.
“We will miss Exia’s experience, but Angela has been with us right up until we named the squad so will fit in with the team well.”
Revised New Zealand Women’s squad:
Julie Ferguson (Hawke’s Bay), Victoria Grant (Auckland), Carla Hohepa (Otago), Linda Itunu (Auckland), Justine Lavea (Auckland), Angela McGregor (Auckland), Huriana Manuel (Auckland), Hannah Porter (Captain, Auckland), Teresa Te Tamaki (Auckland), Renee Wickliffe (Counties Manukau), Rachel Wikeepa (Waikato), Selica Winiata (Manawatu).
**WATCH RWC SEVENS 2009 LIVE AND ON-DEMAND THROUGH WWW.RWCSEVENS.COM! US$19.99 FOR A THREE-DAY PASS. SIGN UP NOW!**
