Wellington may be Kiwis Waterloo

THE big question heading into the Wellington Sevens is whether New Zealand can recapture their form.

The 12-time World Sevens Series champions were way off their own lofty standards in the first two rounds of the 2016-17 HSBC World Sevens Series with a best finish of third in Cape Town and only sixth in Dubai.

Last year they were third in the overall series and at the Rio Olympics‚ they failed to win a medal.

Considering their dominance since the World Series began in 1999‚ the shorter version of the game is in turmoil compared to the 15-man format in New Zealand.

But failure is relative and their Sevens team only have to go back to Sydney 12 months ago for their last tournament victory.

In fact‚ last season they won twice before the wheels gradually came off.

But former Kiwi Sevens star Karl Te Nana believes that the New Zealanders are close to finding their best form again.

Playing on home soil in Wellington this weekend will certainly be a boost.

“In Dubai‚ I think New Zealand were underdone well by South Africa who were just playing at a different level‚” Te Nana told worldrugby.org.

“However in Cape Town‚ I believe they started to find their rhythm and self-belief. They are rebuilding still and trying out a new form of attacking Sevens‚ which is the way they want to play naturally.

“Coming back into a tournament [in Wellington] where they have experienced so much success gives them the perfect opportunity to start 2017 well. “I wouldn’t write them off.” In another interesting subplot to the tournament‚ former New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens‚ who led the country to all of its 12 titles and a Sevens World Cup‚ is coaching Samoa.

It’s the first time Tietjens has led another country in the series‚ and the fact that Samoa are bitter New Zealand rivals and drawn in the same pool in Wellington‚ adds spice to the situation.

“I’m sure it will feel a bit strange for him [Tietjens] walking out onto the turf at the Westpac Stadium with a different team‚ but he’s a proud man and he’ll want his new team to perform‚” said Te Nana.

“Samoa enjoy huge support in Wellington so they will be a force.” — TMGl