Tomasi Cama is not unduly concerning himself with the possible impact of the new high tackle laws on this weekend's Wellington Sevens.
The All Blacks Sevens co-coach and 63-tournament veteran was philosophical when quizzed by media as the cold and rain - though the forecast was promising for Saturday - hit Wellington at this morning's training in Porirua.
"Not a lot of concern. High tackles have never been allowed since the game's been played. They are now looking at it (closely), so it's how we control what we are doing and how we want to make our tackles. We are encouraging our boys to chop tackle or anything that goes in the mid-section, but we don't want to put ourselves under pressure by one or two being sent to the bin. So the boys have to work hard to nail the detail on how we approach the tackles," Cama says.
The national provincial sevens tournament in Rotorua less than a fortnight ago saw some inconsistencies and several yellow cards for borderline tackles. This weekend will feature international referees and again no recourse to the TMO, so the propensity for some ropey rulings will again be high, as it were.
Sherwin Stowers was the immediate injury problem, the veteran flyer only completing part of the training session, meaning former skipper DJ Forbes, who will play his 82nd World Series event, stepped in to talk to media. He was put on the spot on the topic of Wellington's possible future demise as a World Series sevens venue.
"It's obviously disappointing but I think I speak on behalf of the boys that when you represent your country, you are proud, and happy to play in front of a man and his dog. We'll try and get out a put on a show (regardless)," says Forbes.
He added that while he had noticed the crowd numbers dropping away in Wellington in recent years, he still felt they got behind New Zealand when they ran out. As to possible replacement cities for the event, Forbes felt several other locations could put their hand up if it went for tender.
Some of the New Zealand squad were due to take part in various tournament challenges in Porirua this afternoon with a few of the Black Ferns Sevens, who are training in the capital as they prepare for the second leg of their World Series, next weekend in Sydney.