New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens has expressed concerns over his side's fitness levels ahead of the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, the opening event in the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series.
The legendary coach has led his side to more IRB Sevens Series titles than any other coach - New Zealand have won eight of the 10 World Series contested since 1999, all under his guidance - and one of his major yardsticks has always been physical conditioning.
Unlike some of their major competitors, the kiwis have not had the opportunity to compete in any warm-up tournaments, meaning that all preparations have had to take place behind 'closed doors'.
"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.
Mount Maunganui...
"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 Mount Maunganui next week prior to our departure for Dubai."
By their own high standards, New Zealand's 2008/09 season was disappointing. Unhinged by injuries throughout, the squad lost all three Cup finals it reached, in South Africa, New Zealand and England.
Tietjens will now be looking to several of his experienced campaigners to get things back on track and improve on their position of fourth last term.
"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," said Tietjens.
"Onosai Auva'a 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 full back 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 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.
"It's always important to start well in the IRB Sevens Series and the Dubai and George tournaments are vital. We have to acclimatise quickly and with several new players it's important that we start developing combinations.
Dubai Tickets!
Tickets for the Dubai tournament are still available at The Sevens ground on the Al Ain Road, Emirates headquarters, the Dnata Travel Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road and numerous Costa and MMI outlets as well as online through
www.dubairugby7s.com and by calling Ticketline on 8004669. They are also now available at Go Sport outlets and through Souq.com.
