Injuries create headache for sevens coach

Injuries have affected Gordon Tietjens' 12-man squad announced yesterday to defend the cup in Hong Kong from March 18-20.

After the recent controversy surrounding the decision by three leading Super 12 players to rebuff Tietjens' offer to play, the veteran coach lost Chiefs second five-eighth Grant McQuoid to injury.

McQuoid suffered a haematoma to his thigh in Saturday's loss to the Crusaders.

Barnstorming Wellington winger Roy Kinikinilau was also missing after he failed to overcome a knee injury sustained in the IRB tournament in Wellington last month.

Experienced sevens campaigner Hayden Reid was also ruled out.

On the plus side, Tietjens welcomed two Super 12 players - the Blues' Rudi Wulf and the Highlanders' Josh Blackie, who played for Tietjens in South Africa last December.

Captain Liam Messam also returns after missing New Zealand's win in the Los Angeles leg of the series after having some cartilage removed from his knee last month, while Canterbury loose-forward George Nauopo will make his debut.

Tietjens denied there was any pressure on McQuoid to withdraw as the Chiefs have other midfield players, Keith Lowen and Mark Ranby, on the injury list ahead of Saturday's game against the Blues.

"No, there was certainly no pressure," Tietjens said. "Grant really wanted to play at the World Cup. He may or may not play this weekend, but I just couldn't risk him not being able to train with us this week to prepare for the rigours of sevens.

"It would have been a huge handicap for us and Grant."

The Chiefs said McQuoid sat out training yesterday, but they were hopeful he would be fit for the game in Hamilton.

Earlier this month, Joe Rokocoko, Caleb Ralph and Rico Gear took advantage of the NZRU's policy reversal to rebuff invitations to play, after the NZRU said Tietjens could choose up two players from each franchise.

The players could have opted for sevens, but they were worried about losing their places in the Super 12 teams.

Despite the injuries and player withdrawals, Tietjens said a feature of his squad was the emphasis on forward power after selecting six forwards and six backs.

"I've got some really powerful forwards who can dominate the ball and create space for the backs.

"We may not have the express pace, but we do have the game breakers up front who are going to commit two or three players."

Tietjens predictably selected most of the players who crushed the opposition in South Africa, Wellington and Los Angeles.

Playmakers Orene Ai'i and Amasio Valence were named, along with Tamati Ellison who starred for New Zealand in his Wellington debut and again in Los Angelse, while Taranaki NPC back Lifeimi Mafi also returns to the team.

"Mafi played for me in South Africa and he's a great defender, and if we're going to win the World Cup we're going to have to tackle really well," Tietjens said. "If your defence is working, the attack takes care of itself."

New Zealand, who won the last World Cup in Mar Del Plata, Argentina, in 2001, leave for Hong Kong on Sunday.