The New Zealand 7s is a party for most, but the host side and Canada showed they mean business this year as a couple of fights broke out in their opening training game yesterday.

Both teams coaches, who themselves exchanged a few words, played down yesterday’s rough and tumble at Porirua Park, with New Zealand mentor Gordon Tietjens happy to see a bit of fire in the belly.

Canada coach Gerant John who was singing from the same song sheet said that it was just two teams being competitive.

New Zealand is second with 40 points behind England who is on 44 points after two rounds of the world circuit and won the last tournament in South Africa.

New Zealand play Scotland, Papua New Guinea and Argentina in Friday’s pool play at Westpac Stadium while Canada is in the same pool with Fiji, South Africa and France.

Fiji will meet France on Friday at 1.44pm then Canada at 4.40pm before the final pool game against South Africa at 9.12pm.


Story by: Dreu Vukailagi