Lions tour to deplete sevens selection

New Zealand sevens coach Gordon Tietjens is likely to lose his leading players for next month's tournaments, with Lions tour matches set to take precedence.

New Zealand Rugby Union deputy chief executive Steve Tew confirmed their stance yesterday, with the final two rounds of the sevens world series clashing with Lions tour matches and a national under-21 tour.

"The premise is that a Lions match is the pinnacle of a player's career, so they are obviously very important and will be treated as such," Tew said.

The two sevens tournaments, in England and France, clash with the Lions matches against Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, New Zealand Maori and Wellington.

Tietjens met coaches last week to discuss player availability, but appears to have little hope of retaining his squad.

Tew said: "A case by case has been done on all of the players involved and the coaches have a view on where a player in most probability will go, but it depends on selection.

"Gordon obviously has an important job, but there may be in the case of young players that it's better they go on the [New Zealand] under-21 tour."

New Zealand sevens captain Liam Messam is eligible for the under-21 side and New Zealand Maori.

Wellington could potentially call on Roy Kinikinilau, Tamati Ellison, Nigel Hunt and Justin Wilson for their match against the Lions on June 15.

"Each case will be looked at individually at the time and a sensible decision reached," Tew said.

Tietjens' team are almost certain of winning their sixth consecutive world title.

New Zealand need only reach the semifinal of one tournament - either in England on June 4 and 5 or France on June 10 and 11 - to hold off equal second-placed sides England and Fiji.

Tietjens previously had precedence over provincial unions for the services of sevens contracted players.

- NZPA