Louisa Wall: Coach to make sure Fiji has hard time

Fiji have been our nemesis in the last two IRB sevens rugby tournaments and are hot favourites to win the world title and the Commonwealth Games gold in Melbourne.

But Kiwi coach Gordon Tietjens will make sure if Fiji do win the Games gold, they work hard for victory, as will Australia and England.

And it looks as if our New Zealand team will at least be equipped with some of the amazing talent we have with the inclusion of Super 14 players Doug Howlett (Blues), Sosene Anesi (Chiefs), Tamati Ellison (Hurricanes), Tanerau Latimer (Crusaders) and Josh Blackie (Highlanders).

There is also the re-emergence of Amasio Valence (Auckland) in the 22-strong squad to prepare for next month's Games where a team of 12 will finally be selected. It is great to see Howlett put his hand up for such honours given his bumpy ride last year with All Blacks selection.

Good on the Blues for letting him go as he is a sitter to make this team in spite of never playing sevens internationally and with his desire for success, maybe New Zealand can hold off a defiant and world-conquering Fiji and host Australia.

Maybe his experience and leadership skills will help guide us to victory.

We will need such depth of leadership given the Aussies have included four current Wallabies in their team - Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau Scott Fava and Chris Latham.

This is a loud statement about the priority the Australian Rugby Union is placing on this event, in spite of Super 14 commitments.

Results of the first round of the Super 14 conflicted with the findings of Associate Professor Hugh Morton from Massey University on the value of the home-ground advantage given only the Crusaders and the Sharks were able to capitalise on playing at home.

Dr Morton's study also found the Cats and then the Brumbies had the greatest home advantage with the Blues and Stormers least favoured at home.

However, in the Blues case it seems that they perform nearly as well offshore as at home.

What a way for the Hurricanes to begin the season.

Ma'a Nonu should be used to "change the picture" on the opposition as much as possible, therefore maybe the Waratahs' initialled jersey idea would have been better in the Canes backline, so players like Nonu would not be inhibited by what jersey number they are wearing.

Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie's lesson is one for all coaches and players - it doesn't matter what jersey number you wear, it is what you do, where you do it and when that counts.

Three cheers for innovation.