NZ's golden prospects for Delhi

Alison Shanks will be a definite medal contender. Photo / Kenny Rodger

The whole team travels with hopes of success, but a handful of Kiwi competitors are the leaders in their field. David Leggat looks at New Zealand's strongest gold medal contenders at the New Delhi Games.

MEN'S TEAM PURSUIT
The big issue for this group might be who gets the ride.

There are several contenders for a place in the quartet - Peter Latham, Jesse Sergent, Hayden Roulston, Sam Bewley, Westley Gough and Marc Ryan.

Sergent, Roulston, Bewley and Ryan won the bronze at the Beijing Olympics, pipping Australia for third.

Sergent, the world champs silver medallist in the 4000m individual pursuit in Denmark this year - his conqueror, American Taylor Phinney, won't be in New Delhi - is the fast-riser in the New Zealand ranks.

Australia, having won the world champs team gold, may be favourites, but New Zealand, who finished third, will fancy their prospects.

The sport is in good shape. Expect at least two golds, plus plenty of minor podium finishes. Shanks and the men's pursuiters could be the ticket.

NICK WILLIS (1500M)
The defending 1500m champion from Melbourne, and silver medallist at the Beijing Olympics, will arrive for his final in less than ideal condition.

He's had knee surgery last March and a hip injury. Both have hindered preparations.

Willis won a 1500m in Milan this month in the fifth quickest time of the year by a Games-eligible runner.

He was sixth in the Fifth Avenue Mile in New York this week, but he will need to make rapid strides in the next few days.

He's completing preparations in Hong Kong before arriving in New Delhi just before his first race.

Willis will need to be at his best, and it won't be easy. But he has a touch of class and there's no doubting his desire to back up from Melbourne.

VALERIE ADAMS (SHOT PUT)
It's not that often that a New Zealander is rated a dead-cert gold-medal chance at the Commonwealth Games.

But for these Games, Adams is that rare athlete.

She is the defending Olympic champion and world champion, but her toughest rival in the sport is a Belarusian, and therefore absent from New Delhi.

Her closest challenger in New Delhi is likely to be Cleo Borel-Brown from Trinidad and Tobago. Her best throw is 19.3m, 2.04m behind Adams' longest mark, set at Thessaloniki at the world finals last year.

Adams has had a difficult season working on a partnership with new coach, Didier Poppe. That has involved changes to her technique, but short of tripping over in the circle, Adams should be well clear of her rivals.

ALISON SHANKS (3000M INDIVIDUAL PURSUIT)
A year ago, Shanks was world champion in the solo pursuit discipline, successfully picking up the flame from Olympic and world record holder Sarah Ulmer.

She took fourth at the Beijing Olympics two years ago but at the world champs in Copenhagen in March this year, she missed the podium after a couple of ordinary rides.

Still, Shanks is a cert to be in the frame in New Delhi. The 27-year-old University of Otago graduate is coming into her prime.

SHAUN TEASDALE (I.C. ARCHERY)
The West Auckland archer qualified as one of only seven for the world finals in Edinburgh last week, finishing fourth.

He won a World Cup meet in Shanghai and sits among the compound discipline's elite. At 21, he is still coming to the peak of his powers.

The three men who finished above him in Edinburgh won't be in New Delhi. Throw in teammate Stephen Clifton, who is also well regarded, and New Zealand's team prospects are bright. But Teasdale appeals as a good bet to wear gold on the flight home.

SILVER FERNS
Okay, okay. Australia will start favourites, but New Zealand must feel they are in a two-horse race, with due respect to Jamaica and England.

New Zealand's trick will be having a strong mental attitude and getting their selections right, particularly in mid-court.

There is tall timber at both ends and good backup for Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia in the form of Danika Wipiiti. Get the middle part of the equation right and they should be in the contest. It's also a one-off, and they are defending gold medallists.

RUGBY SEVENS
Defending the title won in Melbourne four years ago, New Zealand certainly won't have it all their own way. Australia, England, Samoa and Fiji will all feel they're in with a good shake.

The New Zealand squad have pace in Hosea Gear, Zac Guildford and Tim Mikkelson, an old head in DJ Forbes and lively forwards such as Taranaki's Ben Souness.

Plus, when it comes to rugby, New Zealand always feel they should be right in it.

It could be a tight contest, but Gordon Tietjens' men should be capable of getting the job done.