The team features three changes from the side that won in Atlanta last month, including the return of forwards Carla Hohepa, Charlotte Scanlan and replacement back Gayle Broughton.

Ruby Tui was not considered due to injury, while Morgan Morrow and Alexis Tapsell made way for Hohepa and Scanlon who have recovered from injuries.

Coach Sean Horan has served up no surprises in picking an experienced team and said he had to make some tough decisions while naming the squad.

“It was honestly the hardest team I have ever had to select and that’s just because of the internal competitive environment the players are creating.”

After punishing homeside USA 50-12 in the Atlanta final last month the New Zealand team will be coming into the tournament with much confidence and will face Fiji, Spain and England in their three pool matches.

Horan said although the side had trained well all week and was looking in great shape to do well in Canada, the team had still not reached its full potential.

“We are looking for a continuation of the growth that we are showing. We are currently leading on the points table for the year, but we have a clear goal in terms of overall performance and we are still not there.”

New Zealand now lead the series with 60 points, Canada and Australia are second equal on 48 points while France are fourth with 38 points and the United States are fifth with 36.

Canada Sevens 18,19 April, 2015
Westhills Stadium, Langford, Victoria

New Zealand playing schedule

Pool play – Saturday 18 April 
12:06pm (NZT 7.06am)    NZ v Fiji

3.06pm (NZT 10.06am)    NZ v Spain

6.06pm (NZT 1.06pm)    NZ v England

Finals – Sunday 19 April 

World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series tournaments

Dubai (won by New Zealand)
November 2014

Sao Paulo, Brazil (won by New Zealand)
7-8 February

Atlanta, USA (won by New Zealand)
14-15 March

Langford, Canada
18-19 April

London, England
15-16 May

Amsterdam, Netherlands
22-23 May