The defending Series champions head
into the Hertz 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 on
10-12 February.
“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.
Added pressure
In
2010 New Zealand lost in the semi-finals 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.
Article source: http://boxscorenews.com/new-zealand-looking-for-second-successive-sevens-home-title-p32284-68.htm
