KEY POINTS:
New Zealand have dominated the international sevens rugby series but it's been seven years since they laid their hands on the game's premier trophy.
That could well change this weekend as Gordon Tietjens and his team put their unbeaten record of the 2007-8 season on the line in
Hong Kong.
With 30 teams competing and 30 points on offer, the premier Hong Kong sevens is easily biggest tournament in the international series.
With it comes the cut-throat nature of the competition, says NZ coach Tietjens.
Having won the series seven times in eight years and unbeaten in four tournaments so far this season plus an enviable record of 35 wins on the trot, Tietjens is still not satisfied.
"We haven't won here (Hong Kong) since 2001," he said.
"That presents challenges in itself."
Samoa emerged from near obscurity to win last year even though New Zealand won the overall series.
In 2006 England beat Fiji in the final 26-24. Fiji ended New Zealand's run in the semifinals in both years.
"We've always said one of the top five or six teams can win anytime. That's the nature of sevens," Tietjens said.
England have won the Hong Kong sevens four times since New Zealand lifted the tournament trophy after their 29-5 win over Fiji in the 2001 final.
"The thing is, everybody prepares the best they can and pull in all their big guns for Hong Kong all the time," Tietjens said.
Fiji have recalled one of their big stars of the past, former Crusaders winger Marika Vunibaka, to add some experience to their young side.
Australia have added a few players with Super 14 experience, dual international Andrew Walker among them, and England have bolstered their team with young guns including Worcester Warrior Matt Cox.
South Africa's Paul Treu has brought two unknowns said to possess speed and talent.
"I think the key is to do like we have been treating every other tournament this year - play every game as if it's a final," Tietjens said.
"You need to play to the standards that is needed in the playoffs. You visualise every opponent like you're facing Fiji or someone like that."
New Zealand have been physical in their approach and have targeted the tackle area this season to remain on top of their opponents.
Tietjens has brought into the side 26-year-old Counties-Manukau halfback Chad Tuoro and 19-year-old North harbour winger Nafi Tuitavake.
"Tuitavake has a good understanding of the game and Chad is an aggressive forward for us and he has played a lot of provincial sevens," Tietjens said.
The pair's inclusion is also part of the preparation to replace Steven Yates, who will play in the Adelaide sevens next weekend before heading to Japan.
With wins in Dubai, South Africa, the US and Wellington, New Zealand lead the series with 80 points. South Africa are second with 48 followed by Fiji 44, Samoa 38, Argentina 28 and Kenya 24.
The New Zealanders meet Taiwan on the opening day on Friday and then Tunisia and the United States, who have hired the services of at least two Fijians, on Saturday to complete their pool games.
New Zealand
Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), Edwin Cocker (Auckland), DJ Forbes (Auckland, captain), Nigel Hunt (Wellington), Solomon King (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (North Harbour), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Rene Ranger (Northland), Chad Tuoro (Counties Manukau), Nafi Tuitavake (North Harbour), Victor Vito (Wellington) and Steven Yates (Canterbury).
- NZPA
