New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens wants his side to get their defence of the IRB World Sevens Series championship off to the best possible start when they open the Emirates International Trophy against Scotland tomorrow.
The Kiwis face Scotland in the first pool match and Tietjens knows a good performance in Dubai can set the standard for the whole eight-tournament competition, which his side snatched with a dramatic victory in the final event in the Emirates Airlines Edinburgh Sevens.
It was Tietjens' seventh series victory in eight years at the helm and he would dearly love to win in Dubai. "It sets the tone for the season. Last year we were runners-up here and won the next tournament. And although we had a mid-season lull, that start enabled us to come through and win the series.
"Ten of the 12 players who won the last tournament are here. We've lost a couple of big names including Afeleke Pelenise the IRB Sevens Player of the Year."
Victor Vito, who starred in the Under-19 World Cup in Dubai last year, has come into the set-up. "He's big and incredibly quick and will cause teams a lot of problems," said Tietjens. "I'm looking forward to big things from him in this tournament."
Last year's Dubai champions, South Africa, have had the benefit of a few extra days in Dubai to acclimatise as they attempt to defend their title.
Coach Paul Treu said: "Thanks to our sponsors we have had a few more days than the other squads and I hope that can give us an edge."
Apart from South Africa, Tietjens named Fiji, Samoa and England as the biggest threats. England won in Dubai in 2004 and 2005 and have a good mix of experience and youth. Coach Ben Ryan said: "We are really excited about the mix of players we have brought together. Matt Banahan who is just 20, is the quickest in the squad and stands 6ft 7in and weighs 110kg. He is potentially very exciting."
Strong Arabian Gulf Squad
Arabian Gulf coach Mike Lunjevich yesterday named a near full-strength squad. Captain and fly-half Stephen Cooper passed a late fitness test on an ankle injury and Adrian Kerr returns after 18 months out with a leg fracture.
"The boys are all fit with no major injury worries," said Kerr. "And it's great to have Stephen fit."
Squad: Stephen Cooper (Capt), Wayne Esslemont, Frankie Coetzer (all Dubai Exiles), Dushan Raveendrakumar, Sean Hurley, Paul Austin, Stuart Gibb, Corey Oliver, Adrian Kerr (all Dubai Dragons), Arron Brown, Chris Gregory (both Dubai Hurricanes), Ayman Razek (Muscat).
