New Zealand Rugby is encouraged by the response to find new sevens players.

More than 500 athletes, including 119 identified as being from outside rugby, have registered for New Zealand Rugby’s Ignite7 program.

The Sevens identification program was launched in July with applications made through an online process.

There was an open invitation to athletes under 20-years-old to register their interest for a four-day event that would result in 48 male and 48 female hopefuls put through their paces in Auckland in November.