Rugby Sevens: NZ must make most of home advantage

Lote Raikabula says the game has changed during the past few yers. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Aside from the hype, hoopla, street parades, costumes and mass alcohol consumption, 16 teams will play in a rugby sevens tournament in Wellington starting today.

Often the on-field action is a sideshow to the biggest two-day party in the capital, but the fourth round of the World Sevens Series is vitally important for the home side.

New Zealand share top spot on the points table with long-time rivals Fiji and with five rounds to be played after this weekend, it wouldn't be a bad time for the Kiwis to jump ahead.

They were victorious in the most recent leg of the tour with a last-gasp victory in the final over South Africa in the Republic.

Lote Raikabula, who has been part of the New Zealand sevens set-up since 2006, said making the most of home advantage this weekend was crucial.

"It is, but it's going to be hard because [Fiji] are in the same situation as us. They want to win here too," the 28-year-old said.

"Everyone wants to win here. For us, everyone seems to play well against us in Wellington and wants to spoil the party. But the boys are used to it, so as long as we do things well and right off the field we should be okay."

This year marks the 13th occasion Wellington have hosted the sevens and New Zealand have lifted the trophy five times previously, while Fiji have tasted victory three times.

New Zealand are the defending champions, but have a tricky pool with 2007 winners Samoa, Scotland and Japan on the agenda for day one.

The Kiwis open their campaign at 3.12pm today against the Scots, before meeting Japan at 6.08pm and rounding out day one by tackling Samoa at 9.56pm.

Fiji are in Pool C alongside Wales, Argentina and Tonga, while Pool B has the group-of-death look to it with 2002 champions South Africa matched up with 2009 victors England, the United States and the Cook Islands.

Pool D features France, 2001 winners Australia, the ever-improving Canada and crowd-favourites Kenya.

Aside from Fiji, New Zealand's major threat in the tournament could come in the form of their pool rivals Samoa.

The Pacific Island teams have a huge following in Wellington and aside from their lone victory, Samoa have finished second on three other occasions, while Fiji can boast three silver medals to go alongside their treble of tournament triumphs.

Sevens has risen in popularity during the past couple of years with the sport set to join the Olympic calendar in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Raikabula said the game had changed during the past few seasons.

"You have to change the way you play because everyone after every tournament watches the games and they pick up on what's your strengths and what's your weaknesses. So you've got to change your game ..."

New Zealand have two new faces in the squad for this weekend's tournament with Wellington 18-year-old Ardie Savea in the mix with Mark Jackman.

World Cup-winning All Black Hosea Gear will also turn out this week after being released to play by the Highlanders.

Raikabula said Gear had fitted in well with the squad.

"It's good to see him coming back; for a guy that's been playing for the All Blacks and to come and join the boys, it's definitely good for us and definitely good for the young boys as well that come through."