31 Jan 2012

Tietjens wary of group rivals Samoa at Wellington sevens

8:21 am on 31 January 2012

The New Zealand sevens coach, Gordon Tietjens, believes the Pacific Island teams will be the biggest threat to the men in blacks defence of their Wellington title.

Tietjens yesterday confirmed his 12-man squad for the Wellington leg of the IRB World Series with the team bolstered by the inclusion of All Blacks winger and Dehli Commonwealth games gold medalist Hosea Gear.

The New Zealanders first real challenge comes in the form of pool rivals Samoa, the 2007 Wellington champions.

Tietjens says the capital's large Polynesian community makes the Pacific Island teams that much harder to beat.

The tournament kicks off on Friday.