Last minute disaster has hopefully been averted for New Zealand at the Hong Kong sevens after Craig Hudson was ruled out following a seizure at the final training.
Hudson's absence leaves a void that will be filled by Tumaga Marshall who has been captaining the Aliens side at the preliminary tens tournament at the Hong Kong Football Club.
Coach Gordon Tietjens says it is unfortunate for Hudson, who gave the team a real physical presence and a lot of speed as well.
The New Zealanders have worked through an intense week of training bringing in new players, with many gone from the Commonwealth Games' winning formula.
Tietjens says it has been tough on the players to lift themselves for Hong Kong but he is rapt with the way the players who did not go to Melbourne have injected some energy into the camp.
New Zealand plays Singapore on Friday night in the 30th anniversary of the Hong Kong sevens.
New Zealand starts the tournament on 38 points, 34 in arrears of Fiji, and needs to win in Hong Kong to keep alive its slim hopes of a seventh consecutive series victory.
- NEWSTALK ZB
Intense build-up for Hong Kong Sevens
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