The Dominion Post: Fritz Lee's butterflies have gone, for now.

The 21-year-old Counties-Manukau loose forward was a relieved man yesterday after being named in New Zealand's 12-man team for the Wellington sevens.

"I was pretty relieved today," Lee, pictured, said. "The whole week, but especially today, when the team was named, has been a lot of nerves. Now that I've been named everything has calmed down and the butterflies have gone."

Lee is the only new face in the squad, but at 108kg and 1.90m tall you get the feeling coach Gordon Tietjens may have discovered yet another rare talent.

Born in Samoa, Lee became eligible for New Zealand only at the turn of the year and hopes the sevens will be a springboard for his rugby career.

"It's been a bit of a learning curve," he said. "I don't really like the running, but when it comes to the sevens training there's nowhere to hide and no way to cheat. You just have to run and push yourself to your boundaries."

He came to New Zealand on a scholarship to Tangaroa College in Otara in 2004 and has played for Counties-Manukau in the Air New Zealand Cup since 2007, modelling his game on former All Black Jerry Collins.

Tietjens has had his eye on him for several seasons and encouraged him to push himself this season as his eligibility came through.

Lee, who lives in Mangere but plays for the Manurewa club, was one of the stars of the recent national sevens tournament in Queenstown.

Rooming with senior team-mate Lote Raikabula has helped ease the newcomer into the side, but Lee admitted the prospect of playing in front of a full Westpac Stadium brought mixed feelings.

"To be honest I'm looking forward to it, but at the same time you have a few nerves in the system thinking about it. I haven't experienced anything with playing in front of big crowds. Probably Growers' Stadium in Pukekohe is about it."

02 Febuary, 2010