After four year of frustration, New Zealand coach Sir Gordon Tietjens is looking to take his side back to the top at the Dubai Sevens.
While the Kiwis have dominated sevens rugby to virtually the same extent as their full side does, they have failed to lift the trophy in Dubai since 2009 despite winning it five times previously.
The Southern Hemisphere side made it all the way to the final last year, but were beaten by Samoa, the same team that they defeated back in 2009.
Despite all the pressure heaped on a side always among the pre-tournament favourites, Tiejtens is feeling relaxed going into the tournament, if for no other reason than that he loves this competition.
“Dubai’s always an exciting event,” said the 57-year-old. “We always have great support out there, because there’s a lot of expats, and others who fly in for the tournament, and it’s always appreciated.
“But Dubai is a tournament we haven’t won for a number of years now, and it is about time we changed that, so we have to carry on from where we left off at the Gold Coast in round one, and if we do that, we have a chance.
“We always look forward to going there.”
The Kiwis are placed in Group A alongside France, Kenya and Portugal, with the French being their first opponent at 9:24am on Friday.
The New Zealanders go into this weekend in rampant form, winning the season’s first round in Australia in convincing style as well as carrying the pedigree of having won the World Series 11 times out of 14.
Meanwhile, someone who does know a thing or two about winning in Dubai is England coach Simon Amor, who will be looking to knock the All Blacks off their perch.
As a player, Amor captained England to victories in Dubai back in 2004 and 2005, while the team repeated the feat again in 2010 and 2011.
The English land on Emirati soil in buoyant mood after an impressive third-place finish in the opening HSBC Sevens World Series tournament of the season in Australia last month, losing narrowly to the All Blacks in the semi-finals before thumping South Africa 47-0.
Although Amor said that his side is one in transition, he’s confident they can go at least one better than in Australia.
“After making a promising start to the series, we’ll be doing everything in our power to take another step forward at The Sevens,” said Amor, the World Series Player-ofthe- Year in 2004.
“This is a period of change for us as we ingrain new ways of playing, but there are several names our fans in the UAE will be familiar with, and hopefully they’ll give us the same fantastic support that we’ve had in previous years.
“I have always enjoyed Dubai. England always have great support there, and it undoubtedly gives us a real lift. “It’s a great environment to play in, and I’m really looking forward to coming back as England’s Head Coach – I have many happy memories of playing in Dubai.”
England have a tough group to negotiate, coming up against the United States – who will field Sevens sensation Carlin Isles – as well as Canada and Fiji.
However, both England and New Zealand will be grateful they have avoided Pool D where South Africa come up against holders Samoa as well as emerging powers Russia and Argentina.
Pool B also looks competitive with Australia taking on Wales, Scotland and Spain. South Africa will be hoping to catch their opponents by surprise with exciting talent Cheslin Kolbe.
The 20-year-old already played in the IRB Sevens World Cup in Moscow this year as well as being a fixture with Junior Springboks. Coach Neil Powell thinks his youngster can make an impression in Dubai.
“Cheslin is very familiar with our set up because he played for the SA Sevens Academy in Dubai in 2012 and was part of the Bok Sevens World Series squad in Port Elizabeth last December. He is an exciting attacking player and someone that will obviously add a lot of value to our existing squad.”
FIVE TO WATCH
Carlin Isles (USA) A crossover talent from American football. Try keeping an eye on him, Isles once ran the 100m in 10.24 seconds.
Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa) At just 20 he is seen as the future of the Springbok Sevens. Watch out for his explosive bursts.
Samisoni Viriviri (Fiji) Reigning Sevens Player of the Year and best player at the 2013 World Cup in Moscow. Enough said.
Dan Norton (England) Top scorer on the circuit last year with 52 tries and absolutely key for England’s hopes.
Collins Injera (Kenya) A proven operator on the Sevens circuit and a hero in his homeland.
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