Tough task ahead for New Zealanders

Dubai: New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has expressed concerns over his side's fitness levels ahead of the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens.

The legendary coach, who has led his side to more IRB Sevens Series titles than any other team, has not yet had the opportunity to put his players to the test but is hoping they will able to produce the goods when they take to the pitch at The Sevens in the first week of December.

"We are underdone, having had no warm up tournaments which is a concern," said Tietjens.

"The Pacific teams have been playing in the islands while South Africa and Fiji played in the final in Singapore last week and are also playing in Sri Lanka this weekend.

"My players had to have a mandatory two-week break following the end of the provincial competition, so sevens fitness levels are not as good as they need to be," he admitted.

"That said we had a good four-day training camp in Auckland last week and I have whittled the squad down from 24 to 16 which will be reduced further to 12 in Mt Maunganui next week prior to our departure for Dubai."

Having completely dominated eight of the first 10 seasons of the IRB Sevens World Series, the New Zealand team had a rather disappointing 2008/2009 season, first losing out to England in the semifinal in Dubai last year and then going on to finish a lowly fourth in the overall season standings.

Tietjens will be looking to several of his experienced campaigners to get things back on track and see his side regaining their top spot once more, but there are also a number of new names in the mix.

"We have lost a number of players from last year's squad such as Tim Nanai Williams and Nigel Hunt. But I still have a core of experienced old hands such as Zar Lawrence, Tomasi Cama, Lote Raikabula, and DJ Forbes in the squad while Ben Souness is a very promising player," explained the coach.

"Onosai Auvaá missed out on a Super 14 contract with the Blues and has been included in the squad — he is a talented flanker while we have some real pace with Bay of Plenty fullback Toby Arnold, North Harbour's Ken Pisi, Counties Manukau's Sherwin Stowers and Wellington's Shaun Treeby in the training squad."

New Zealand has been grouped together with Rugby World Cup Sevens finalists Argentina as well as Portugal and France in Pool D for the opening leg of the series in Dubai, which Tietjens believes is wide open.

"The series will be more competitive than ever with the likes of South Africa, Fiji, England, Samoa, Kenya, Argentina and even Scotland all quality sides," reckoned Tietjens who will be expecting his players to quickly adapt to Dubai conditions.

"New Zealand have been a major force in Sevens rugby over the years and it will be a pleasure to welcome Gordon and his team back to Dubai where they last won the tournament in 2007," said Gary Chapman, President Group Services and Dnata Emirates Group.