Kiwis target another 'home run'
New Zealand will be hoping to win their home tournament for the second year in a row. The two-day event, part of the IRB World Sevens Series, gets underway on Friday.
Following a dramatic 31-26 victory against South Africa in the final of the Nelson Mandela Bay (South Africa) Sevens in December, New Zealand sit joint first in the 2011/12 World Series.
The defending Series champions head into the Wellington Sevens this weekend on 51 points alongside Gold Coast Sevens winners Fiji, with Dubai Sevens winners England on 48 and South Africa 47.
Gordon Tietjens, however, is looking for his side to gain a small advantage in the standings on home soil at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington ahead of the USA Sevens next week – February 10 to 12.
“You have to be there or thereabouts to continue to Vegas in terms of points if you are to do well in the Series,” said Tietjens.
“Four teams are really close and you can’t afford to trip up. But there will be teams that do trip up there is no question so this is a big part of the Series and to leave here as the top seed and having won the tournament gives you an advantage going to try and win that trophy.”
In 2011 Declan O’Donnell stole the show for the hosts as he scored a hat-trick in the final as New Zealand beat England 29-14 but that was their first triumph on home soil since 2008.
In 2010 New Zealand lost in the semifinals, whilst in 2009 it was England who dramatically beat New Zealand 19-17 in the Cup final, and Tietjens is aware of the differing fortunes the home pressure can have on a team.
“We always look forward to our home tournament, but it is a tough one to crack,” added Tietjens, who is looking for his 10th World Series title in 13 years.
“But there is also lots of pressure for a team to win their home tournament.
“The players love the tournament. Playing in front of friends and family is something you can only do once every year. This is a very special tournament, and to win here is really pleasing for the players.
“But that pressure can be put on you, as South Africa felt playing us in the final in Port Elizabeth, and it can be heartbreaking as it was for us three years ago against England when we lost.”
Following their victory at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, New Zealand were drawn in Pool A as the top seeds alongside Samoa, Scotland and Japan. Their first match is against Scotland at 15:12.
Day One schedule:
(Kick-off is local time – GMT plus 13 hours)
Match 1: South Africa v United States, 13.00
Match 2: England v Cook Islands, 13.22
Match 3: Fiji v Argentina, 13.44
Match 4: Wales v Tonga, 14.06
Match 5: France v Canada, 14.28
Match 6: Australia v Kenya, 14.50
Match 7: New Zealand v Scotland, 15.12
Match 8: Samoa v Japan, 15.34
Match 9: South Africa v Cook Islands, 15.56
Match 10: England v United States, 16.18
Match 11: Fiji v Tonga, 16.40
Match 12: Wales v Argentina, 17.03
Match 13: France v Kenya, 17.24
Match 14: Australia v Canada, 17.46
Match 15:: New Zealand v Japan, 18.08
Match 16: Samoa v Scotland, 18.30
Match 17: United States v Cook Islands, 18.54
Match 18: Argentina v Tonga, 19.14
Match 19: Canada v Kenya, 19.36
Match 20: Scotland v Japan, 20.28
Match 21: South Africa v England, 20.50
Match 22: Fiji v Wales, 21.12
Match 23: France v Australia, 21.34
Match 24: New Zealand v Samoa, 21.56
