NZ, England and Fiji tipped for World Cup sevens

The rugby sevens World Cup starting in Hong Kong tomorrow seems sure to unveil the first two-time winners -- one of two lightning-fast teams wearing white or a black-clad side packed with power.

While 1993 winners England and 1997 champions Fiji will boast the quickest teams, the forwards of defending champions New Zealand, led by captain Liam Messam, have the muscle to control any game.

Those three sides are clear favourites to lift the Melrose Cup on Sunday night, despite the claims of Samoa, South Africa and Argentina, the latter having lost to New Zealand in the final of the last two International Rugby Board (IRB) tournaments.

New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens hopes the forward-based formula that has pushed his team to the brink of another IRB crown will work against teams boasting some of rugby's fleetest of foot. He won't know until the crunch games from the quarterfinals onwards on Sunday

"We have some big, good forwards in this team and if they can do the business, they'll create opportunities," Tietjens told NZPA.

"We've emphasised hard work up front this year because we haven't had the pace. Therefore we have to play a lot more offence to score a try.

"We play each team differently. We've got our plans in hand if we face Fiji or England."

If the tournament runs to seeding, that won't be until the final but the unpredictable nature of the sport could see them meet England as early as the quarterfinals.

While New Zealand should stroll through pool play tomorrow and on Saturday against opponents Korea, Ireland, Tonga, the United States and Scotland, England will need to be wary of pool opponents Samoa.

The loser of that match will probably play the New Zealanders in the quarterfinals, while a semifinal against South Africa or Argentina could well follow.

Titejens claimed to not even know the draw beyond pool play but he must be wary of England, who have emerged victorious at Hong Kong for the last three years.

"England get a lot of support in Hong Kong and they respond well to it. They're looking stronger and they'll come with a lot of confidence," Tietjens admitted.

New Zealand team:
Liam Messam (captain, Waikato), Rudi Wulf, Isaia Toeava, Lifeimi Mafi, Tamati Ellison, Orene Ai'i, Amasio Valence, Tanerau Latimer, George Naoupu, Josh Blackie, Edwin Cocker, Tafai Ioasa.

Pools:
Pool A: New Zealand, Tonga, Scotland, Ireland, Korea, USA
Pool B: England, Samoa, France, Italy, Georgia, Chinese Taipei
Pool C: Fiji, Australia, Canada, Japan, Portugal, Hong Kong
Pool D: Argentina, South Africa, Kenya, Uruguay, Russia, Tunisia

New Zealand schedule (NZ time):
Friday: v Korea 5.17pm, v Ireland 9.41pm, v Tonga 2.20am (Saturday)
Saturday: v United States 6.23pm, v Scotland 12.15am (Sunday)
Sunday: quarterfinals 7.05pm-8.30pm, semifinals 10pm-10.30pm, final 12.30am (Monday)

- NZPA