Defending IRB Sevens Series champion New Zealand's chances of retaining their title all hinges on the results of the remaining 3 tournaments in Australia, England and Scotland with hopes current leaders South Africa, England and Fiji will not do well.

After the Hong Kong Sevens last night, it has marked one of the worst ever performances for the Gordon Tietjens coached side as they failed to win any of the last 5 tournaments where they were the defending champions.

To add to their worries, the side suffered their 3rd quarterfinal loss in a row from the USA Sevens, then the World Cup before they went down to Kenya again in Hong Kong.

And to make it harder for this weekend in the Australia Sevens, they will take on Rugby World Cup Sevens champions Wales along with USA and Tonga.

The Welsh beat Gordon Tietjens side 15-14 in their World Cup quarterfinal and also overcame the Kiwis in Wellington in February, so there is much riding on the outcome of that match.

New Zealand is in 4th place with 60 points while South Africa still lead on 84 points and England on 68.

Fiji is now in third position on 62 points.

Fiji is in pool B with World Cup runners-up Argentina, France and Scotland.

Fiji's first pool game is on Friday night at 8.28 against Scotland.

The Australia Sevens in Adelaide will kick-off on Friday at 7pm.