Rugby: NZ seek redemption in Hong Kong

Victor Vito is back to full fitness. Photo / Getty Images

Coach Gordon Tietjens will call on a nucleus of experienced players to steer New Zealand back to winning ways in this weekend's fifth round of the world rugby sevens series in Hong Kong.

New Zealand had a dream run in last year's world series. They won the first five tournaments, including Hong Kong for the first time since 2002.

They also went unbeaten for a record 47 matches until the final of the sixth round at Adelaide.

Coming into this year's Hong Kong tournament which begins tomorrow, New Zealand have not won any of the previous four rounds and are, by their lofty standards, languishing in third spot in the standings on 52 points.

England and South Africa share the top spot with both on 60 points.

New Zealand also crashed out in the quarterfinals of the World Cup at Dubai early this month, losing to eventual winners Wales.

"We have had a terrible run with injuries this season and haven't really had a settled team," Tietjens said from Hong Kong.

"I guess the advantage we have at this tournament is we got Zar Lawrence, Lote Raikabula, Nigel Hunt, Tomasi Cama, Victor Vito and DJ Forbes.

"To me, that's really key - that the majority of the squad have played here before and been here many times."

There are just three rounds of the world series left after this weekend - at Adelaide, London and Edinburgh.

Hong Kong, with points doubling, is a chance for New Zealand to become front runners as they hunt down a ninth series win.

"We have to perform in this tournament to get back in the running," Tietjens said.

"With double points on offer in Hong Kong, and us not very far from the front, winning here will enhance our chances of going to the lead in the world series."

Third seeded New Zealand have been grouped in Pool C with Australia, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka but casting his eyes wider, Tietjens said the other top sides - South Africa, the top seeds, England, second seeded, and Fiji - will also be looking for redemption after also exiting the World Cup at the quarterfinals.

"There's five or six teams here who can win the tournament," Tietjens said, picking out other nations such as Kenya, World Cup finalists Argentina, seeded fourth in Hong Kong ahead of Fiji, and Canada whose squads are made up of specialist sevens exponents.

He said spirits in the squad were high.

They have been strengthened with the arrival of Tim Mikkelson, released from the Chiefs' Super 14 squad. Hurricanes loose forward Victor Vito, who did not make an impression at the sevens World Cup because of a calf injury, was back to full fitness and had trained well this week.

Tietjens said he would be asking for a resolute defensive effort from his troops from now.

"That has been the key aspect every time we have won a tournament."

- NZPA