The New Zealand sevens coach Gordon Tiejtens has all but admitted that defending their world series title will be tough, ahead of the Adelaide leg of the IRB sevens.
With three legs to go New Zealand have not won a title, and are lying in fourth place behind South Africa, England and Fiji.
Tiejtens says the pressure is off his side, and he's already looking to blood players for next season.
He's has been forced to make another change to their squad. Debutant Tutu Tairea from Auckland will replace Otago's Jeremy Cave who has been ruled out with a knee injury.
