Rugby: Black Fern's all for taking step forward

Hazel Tubic's motto is to "feed the backs" in the world series-leading New Zealand women's sevens side. Photo / Joel Ford

Hazel Tubic knows all about the satisfaction of watching the outsides scorch in for a try from long distance after the forwards have done the hard yards.

The 24-year-old Counties Manukau player has, after all, featured in six tests for the Black Ferns as an outside back from 2011-12. Now she is in the forwards for the high-flying, world series-leading New Zealand women's sevens team.

Nothing pleases her more than seeing the ball in Portia Woodman's hands and for the competition's leading tryscorer to do her stuff - 14 tries in the last event in Atlanta (and five in the final) testifies to that. Throw in the likes of Honey Hireme, Selica Winiata and Carla Hohepa and there is no shortage of firepower on the New Zealand flanks.

"They are our strikers, so we do what we have to do to get it out to them," said Tubic, who has played for New Zealand in all three tournaments this season.

"If we have to get smashed, that's what we have to put up with. It's always good when we stand up at halfway after rumbling it up and [Portia's] scoring under the posts."

Tubic is happy enough to forgo any tryscoring aspirations - she has crossed for a couple - as long as the team wins and solidifies qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Taking nothing for granted is part of the ethos of this New Zealand side, coached by Sean Horan.

You are always happy to go away with the team. Last year was a good one to learn and this season I've tried to push for more game time and starting.The team is getting quite competitive now, so it's hard to get into it.

Hazel Tubic

If New Zealand win this weekend in Canada, that will seal the deal for Rio.

But the New Zealand standards are high, and Tubic says they have sights set on winning every tournament, including the two final events back-to-back next month in London and Amsterdam, to again clinch the world series.

Tubic has ruled herself out of pushing for a place in the Black Ferns for their June/July programme. The timing won't be right with the sevens world series finishing on May 23.

"I've always wanted to play for the Black Ferns, and I've played for them in the past, but just with the timing, I might have a rest ahead of a big season."

Then it might be into club rugby with Manurewa, a spot of NPC, and then into the sevens circuit ahead of Rio.

This weekend, New Zealand faces England, Spain and the USA in their pool in Langford, Canada.

"Fiji are an unpredictable team, they're strong and fast, so we will have to work hard on our defence and stay connected," Woodman told the World Rugby website.

"USA are strong around the rucks and looking after the ball will be important. Spain are another unpredictable team and love to give it their all whenever the face a black jersey, so there won't be any complacency against any of them," Woodman said.

New Zealand lead with 60 points from Canada and Australia (both on 48) and France (36). England, the women's 15s Rugby World Cup holders, lie just sixth, but have recalled Katy McLean, who brings experience and class.

Tubic knows New Zealand have got out of several pickles this season, especially against Australia and Canada.

"We've been tested under pressure, so to see that we can fight through and pull it out is pretty good. We feel we've got each other's backs."