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New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens has always said he wants to be in the Wellington sevens rugby crowd one day.
But this week it's more stress and strain as he plots how to get his side back into the hunt in the International Rugby Board sevens series, all the while strategising for next month's World Cup.
Eight-times series winners New Zealand enter the third leg of the 2008-09 circuit starting today 12 points down on leaders South Africa, who won at both Dubai and their home tournament in George.
Tietjens reckons his team improved considerably between those two tournaments - and were a touch unlucky to lose 12-7 to the Africans in the George final.
"It gave us hope we can compete with them if we meet them again," Tietjens said.
"Wellington is huge for us. We'd love to win this tournament because you can't let [South Africa] get away again."
New Zealand have won four times in the last six visits to the Wellington circus-cum-tournament.
They should have few problems in pool play today against Wales, Niue and Australia.
Tietjens reckons he has a side mentally strong enough to then handle the pressure of knockout rugby tomorrow.
A showdown with the lightning-fast South Africans seems inevitable, and Tietjens is comfortable now he has a side to match their wheels - particularly with the recall of North Harbour flyer Viliame Waqaseduadua.
"He's Fijian, he knows the game very well and he's got that degree of pace that is needed and great rugby experience at the higher level," Tietjens said.
"He's probably 10 times a better rugby player now. He's grown, he's matured.
"It's great he's remained here in New Zealand.
"When a player misses out on Super 14 selection, there's a real big chance you'll lose them to overseas."
Tietjens is delighted with his new-found depth out wide, particularly with last year's one-man wrecking machine Victor Vito immersed in the 15-man game.
Nafi Tuitavake was impressive at Dubai and George while newcomer Save Tokula of Waikato may be the latest star unearthed by Tietjens.
"He's certainly got the real x-factor that's required in the game of sevens. He's going to put pressure on some of the incumbents, which is great."
However, the glory boys can only shine if the hard core five of recent seasons perform the nuts and bolts - namely forwards DJ Forbes and Edwin Cocker and streetwise backs Tomasi Cama, Lote Raikabula and Zar Lawrence.
Most of the others are getting their first taste of Wellington and Tietjens makes it clear that anyone who steps up will do wonders for their World Cup selection hopes.
The IRB tournament at San Diego next week will be the final chance to impress before he names his squad to contest the World Cup in Dubai from March 5-7.
"There's great incentives there for the players," he said.
"It comes round once every four years so she's a special thing for us."
As always, the other threats this week come from England, Fiji and Samoa.
Fiji were shocked last week when sevens great Waisale Serevi was sacked as coach after a relationship breakdown with union officials.
Their raw-looking team will now be coached by former Auckland and Blues back Iliesa Tanivula, who played sevens for New Zealand under Tietjens 10 years ago.
New Zealand squad:
Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), Edwin Cocker (Auckland), DJ Forbes (captain, Counties Manukau), Paul Grant (Otago), Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), Tim Nanai Williams (Counties Manukau), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Save Tokula (Waikato), Nafi Tuitavake (North Harbour), Tu Umaga Marshall (Wellington), Viliame Waqaseduadua (North Harbour).
Pools:
Pool A: South Africa, Scotland, Kenya, Tonga.
Pool B: New Zealand, Australia, Wales, Niue.
Pool C: England, France, Argentina, Canada.
Pool D: Fiji, United States, Samoa, Cook Islands.
Standings:
South Africa 40, New Zealand 28, England 24, Fiji 24, Argentina 16, Samoa 12, Portugal 8, Kenya 6, Australia 4, United States 4.
- NZPA
