Auckland, coached by sevens specialists Eric Rush and Karl Te Nana, Wellington and Counties-Manukau shaped as likely contenders after the first day of the national rugby sevens tournament in Queenstown yesterday.
Canterbury, in a tough pool with Wellington and four-times-consecutive winners Auckland, had to beat Wellington in theirmorning match to be sure of progressing to the cup round - but went down 33-10. Their cup hopes were well and truly dented when Auckland beat them 22-12. Even when Wellington beat Auckland in a 26-21 thriller, Canterbury were still heading for the lesser competitions.
Counties-Manukau joined Wellington, Waikato and Taranaki as unbeaten teams and will hold high hopes of making the final - as they did last year against eventual winners Auckland. Counties are coached by another sevens stalwart - former All Black and Counties winger Joeli Vidiri.
They moved smoothly past Northland and Southland before edging out North Harbour in a much closer game, 22-17.
Counties boast several players from the world sevens circuit, including All Black loose forward Jerome Kaino's brother, Kaino Kaino. He plays for the Cook Islands on the world circuit and is regarded as one of the world's best sevens exponents.
Forward Fritz Lee was expected to be a big influence along with speed twins Tim Nanai-Williams and Sherwin Stowers.
