Four time Hong Kong Sevens champions England are feeling the pressure as only hours remain before the kick off at So Kon Po Stadium.
England lost 29-17 to New Zealand in the cup final last year and the memories are still haunting some team members.
England is pooled with Samoa, Argentina and Kenya this time around.
England Sevens coach Ben Ryan said Hong Kong could end up being a tipping point and if New Zealand manages to get another result and pull themselves away, that will lead them to another series win.
He added there are three groups of death and the best teams will come to the top.
Meanwhile, New Zealand has been dealt a late injury blow with vice captain Lote Raikabula forced to pull out of the 12 man squad.
The world series leaders and defending Hong Kong champions have called in debutant Jack Wilson to replace the veteran, with Raikabula joining this season’s leading try scorer Frank Halai, forward Solomon King and utility back Toby Arnold on the list of players unavailable to coach Gordon Tietjens.
New Zealand is pooled with South Africa, Wales and the United States in Group B.
The Hong Kong Sevens kicks off at 8 o’clock tonight with the first match between Portugal and Guyana.
Fiji will take on Scotland at 9:06pm in its first match.
Fiji’s matches tomorrow will be against France at 5:32pm and Australia at 10:46pm.
Story by: Dhanjay Deo
England feels the pressure
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