New Zealand Sevens team coach Gordon Tietjens believes the Pacific Island teams will be the biggest threat to them in their defense of the Wellington title.

Tietjens yesterday confirmed his 12-man squad for the Wellington leg of the IRB World Series with the team bolstered by the inclusion of All Blacks wing and Delhi Commonwealth Games gold medalist Hosea Gear.

The New Zealanders first real challenge comes in the form of pool rivals Samoa, the 2007 Wellington champions.

Tietjens said the capital’s large Polynesian community makes the Pacific Island teams that much harder to beat.

The NZ team includes DJ Forbes, Tomasi Cama Jnr, Lote Raikabula, Frank Halai, Toby Arnold, Solomon King and Tim Mikkelson.

The tournament kicks off on Friday.


Source: Radio New Zealand