NZ continue balanced approach at World Cup

The United States were little more than a speed bump as New Zealand continued a balanced approach to defending their World Cup rugby sevens title on day two here today.

After a stutter against Tonga last night, all the parts were working again in a 45-0 defeat of the US, making it four from four in pool play with a final match against Scotland later tonight.

Tonga's bigger forwards made life uncomfortable for New Zealand last night, who called on the silky skills of Orene Ai'i to get them home 19-12 after trailing 7-12 at halftime.

However, the US were overwhelmed from the start as forwards George Naoupu and Liam Messam set the foundation of a seven-try rout.

Isaia Toeava, Tamati Ellison, Tafai Ioasa and Rudi Wulf crossed in the first half, while Naoupu scored his first try in a New Zealand sevens jersey to kick-start the second spell. Ioasa crossed twice more to conclude the scoring with a hat-trick.

Halfback Amasio Valence played the whole game and showed no sign of the pinched shoulder nerve which sent a scare through the New Zealand camp yesterday, directing play and kicking five conversions.

Elsewhere, there were no boilovers this morning, with the fate of England and South Africa to be determined later tonight. England were upset by France yesterday and South Africa by Tunisia, leaving the quarterfinal prospects of both dangling.

New Zealand have thrown their lot behind coach Gordon Tietjens' plan to play a balanced game based around possession and conserving energy until it is required later in the three-day tournament. It will stretch to eight matches if they reach tomorrow's final.

As soon as Tietjens knew he would be without the Super 12 speedsters he wanted, he developed the strategy and selected six forwards, which he described as conservative but necessary if they are to compete against faster opponents.

"Good conditioning is crucial for our guys if we're going to play this way," said Tietjens, who is pains here to give virtually identical game time to each player through pool play.

And energy conservation involves doing as little as possible to win the pool matches.

"We try to pull out the big ones at the start because If you get a lead you can relax a little bit," he said.

"We make it a point to try and score first."

Captain Messam took it as a personal affront that Tonga dominated the middle of the park for long periods last night and vowed it wouldn't happen again tomorrow.

"We got a fright in the Tongan game, we just have to front up if we come up against a bigger pack," Messam said.

"I believe that we can do that. We've got good size in our team and good mongrel."

Meanwhile, Tietjens and his men will hope a result earlier today bodes well for them.

The Aotearoa Maori New Zealand team won the women's tournament, which has been running concurrently here, beating Australia 19-12 in an exciting final.

- NZPA