KEY POINTS:
New Zealand set out to defend their London sevens rugby title tomorrow in the knowledge that, should they do so, they will become world series champions for the eighth time with one event to spare.
Gordon Tietjens' team are on 126 series points and need just seven more
- either reaching the Cup semifinal or winning the Plate - to be sure of retaining the world series title
South Africa are second with a tally of 92 points and Fiji third with 74.
New Zealand had swept all before them, going 47 matches unbeaten this season until the final of the last round in Adelaide when they went down to South Africa.
Tietjens admitted that his side had struggled with the inevitable pressure built up by so many matches unbeaten and had started playing not to lose rather than to win.
Skipper DJ Forbes agrees, saying that the team had gone flat after the hype of winning their first Hong Kong title since 2001.
"... we're professionals and we should always be playing our best footy, but it was hard getting up for Adelaide after winning in Hong Kong," Forbes said today in London.
"We weren't playing our greatest rugby but the positive coming out of that was that we still made the final, which gives the boys a lot of credit."
With the overall title a fingertip away, Forbes said New Zealand were wary of complacency.
" Seven points sounds easy, but Fiji were in the same position last year, had it pretty much there for the taking, and they tripped up - we don't want to leave anything to chance," he said.
Tietjens' line-up has changed en route to the season's European climax with the most notable absentees being powerhouse Victor Vito and Steven Yates, who are concentrating on 15s.
Yates' natural replacement, Solomon King, has an injured hamstring and is replaced by the inexperienced Chad Tuoro.
There are also debut appearances for Ben Nowell and Kendrick Lynn.
Forbes is not too concerned. "It's always the case in Sevens, it's been done year-in-year-out and it's part of Titch's job - he likes to see the boys going on to bigger and better things."
Despite losing Mzandile Stick, Marius Schoeman and Renfred Dazel to injury, South Africa again look the strongest challengers to New Zealand.
Springbok Kabamba Floors is recalled along with Danwel Demas and Gio Aplon, while speedy Stefan Basson is in line to play if he overcomes a finger injury.
"If you look at this team compared to the beginning of the season and maybe even last year, they've got a few of the old experienced boys back," Forbes said.
"They've got a few playmakers and their reliable forwards - it's a challenge to us and we'll be out for revenge having lost to them in Adelaide."
New Zealand's opening pool A match is against Argentina at 8pm tomorrow (NZT). The other teams in the pool are Wales and Moldova.
Team: Tomasi Cama, Edwin Cocker , Israel Dagg, DJ Forbes , Nigel Hunt, Tafai Ioasa, Chad Tuoro, Zar Lawrence, Kendrick Lynn, Ben Nowell, Lote Raikabula, Nafi Tuitavake.
- NZPA
