New Zealand rugby coach Gordon Tietjens is still hoping to have star halfback Nigel Hunt available for this weekend's Wellington Sevens tournament.
Hunt picked up an ankle injury in training yesterday and is in doubt for the tournament, but Tietjens said he will give him plenty of timeto get ready.
He said the halfback position is crucial and he will wait until the last minute to make a decision.
DJ Forbes will continue as captain. Forbes has been favoured as captain in recent tournaments with Tafai Ioasa injured and Tietjens said the change should allow Ioasa to focus on his game.
Ioasa has a lot of skills to offer besides leadership and the team will need top performances from him this weekend, he said.
Tietjens believes there are five or six teams that could win the tournament, which means the slightest hiccup like an injury could be costly.
Tietjens has named a 13 man squad for the weekend, but it will be reduced to 12 when a final decision is made on Hunt's fitness.
NZ Sevens squad T. Cama (Manawatu), E. Cocker (Auckland), I. Dagg (Hawke's Bay), DJ Forbes (Auckland, captain), N. Hunt (Wellington), T. Ioasa (Hawke's Bay), S. King (Bay of Plenty), Z. Lawrence (North Harbour), L. Raikabula (Manawatu), R. Ranger (Northland), C. Tuoro (Counties Manukau), V. Vito (Wellington) and S. Yates (Canterbury). One player to be omitted.
