It has not been the ideal start to the 2008/09 IRB World 7s Series for reigning champions New Zealand, but Coach Gordon Tietjens is confident his current side have the potential to match the lofty standards set by their predecessors.

South Africa are setting the standard in this series, winning the opening round in Dubai and then the George 7s title after 10 years on home soil.

Tietjens believes his side can turn things around from the Wellington 7s in February.