Rugby: Tietjens eyes fringe All Blacks for Games defence

New Zealand sevens rugby coach Gordon Tietjens is awaiting the naming of the All Blacks squad so he can firm up his contenders for a strong lineup. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand sevens rugby coach Gordon Tietjens is eagerly awaiting the naming of the All Blacks squad so he can firm up his contenders for a powerful Commonwealth Games lineup.

The likes of Victor Vito, Rene Ranger, Israel Dagg, Liam Messam and Tim Nanai-Williams are on Tietjens' radar for Delhi in October but anyone who makes the All Blacks' Tri-Nations squad will be ruled out.

Sunday's naming of the All Blacks 26-man squad for the June tests will give an early indication of which of the fringe contenders are in favour.

Tietjens had already forwarded some names to the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) as his Commonwealth Games extended squad, from which a training camp and trial, and the whims of the All Blacks selectors, will narrow down.

"I've sent a list of players through so I'm just awaiting the naming of the All Blacks Tri-Nations squad, and if anyone is in that side then they won't be considered to be available. It's just a waiting game," Tietjens told NZPA from Edinburgh where his side are in contention for another world title at the weekend's season-ending tournament.

"Obviously players that have played for me in the past. They'll be named in an enlarged squad and go into a trial situation.

"Guys like Victor Vito for example, Liam Messam, if they're not taken by the All Blacks. Tim Nanai-Williams is another one, Rene Ranger who's played for me before. All those guys that have been there and know what it's about."

New Zealand will be shooting for four consecutive Commonwealth Games sevens gold medals in Delhi, having beaten England in the final four years ago.

Other potential contenders from Super 14 players who have donned the New Zealand sevens jersey include Tanerau Latimer, Scott Waldrom, Dwayne Sweeney and Alando Soakai.

Messam, Latimer and Soakai were part of the victorious Melbourne squad along with current All Black Cory Jane and fellow internationals Tamati Ellison, now departed for Japan, and Sosene Anesi, who played for the Waratahs in this year's Super 14.

- NZPA