Valence says sayonara to Sevens' team-mates

If beginning their world title defence by being knocked out in the Dubai Sevens quarter-final wasn't bad enough, the New Zealand sevens rugby team may have to face up to the loss of one of their most vital players and their key playmaker, Amasio Valence.

The third highest points scorer in the game's history, Valence has had negotiations with a Japanese club. He's set to follow long-time team-mate Orene Ai'i in moving north.

Valence confirmed at the Emirates Airlines Dubai Sevens that he was looking at his options and it's believed any Japanese deal will rule him out of the Commonwealth Games team, with the Japanese club season due to start in February.

"I'm not too sure, I am looking at options to go to Japan but nothing is confirmed yet so I will just see how I go," Valence said.

The veteran of 46 IRB sevens tournaments - a record - would leave a massive hole in coach Gordon Tietjens' squad should he go in pursuit of the yen. New Zealand has lost the services of Ai'i to Japan and Liam Messam, Tanerau Latimer and Tamati Ellison to Super 14 from last year's squad.

Tietjens admitted he was aware of the talk that Valence was looking to head offshore and could be in doubt for the Commonwealth Games.

"I have heard the rumours but nothing has been confirmed as yet. It would be a real concern if he does go because he is a major player in the New Zealand sevens team. But it is just speculation at the moment and, until it is confirmed, we will just continue with Amasio in the side."

Valence was a nominee for IRB Sevens Player of the Year, beaten to the award by Ai'i. He has scored more than 100 tries in sevens rugby and is fifth on the all-time try-scorers list and third behind Ben Gollings and Waisale Serevi on the all-time points-scorers list.

Meanwhile, on the field, England retained its Dubai title, beating Fiji 28-26 in the final.

Two tries apiece from player of the tournament, new England winger Tom Varndell, and Gollings - who will play for the new Tasman union in next year's NPC - helped England to their win. Winger Varndell, who made his England XVs debut against Samoa at Twickenham, crossed twice and a converted try from Fiji in the final seconds flattered the Fijians.

Varndell, the try-scoring hero in a nail-biting semifinal win over Samoa, made a blistering break from deep inside his own half for a score which put England back on level terms in the first half. His second try, with less than three minutes to go, was a close-range run-in after intelligent approach work by Mathew Tait but proved to be crucial.

The blistering acceleration of Varndell, voted player of the tournament, gave England an extra dimension but the team's final success also owed much to the guile of Gollings, who claimed tries either side of the break.

New Zealand bowed out in the quarter-finals in Dubai, losing 17-14 to arch-rivals Fiji, in a repeat of last year's World Cup final.

Tietjens described the loss as heartbreaking but the result illustrated the level of depth in sevens rugby, with two of the traditional heavyweights of the game having to meet in the quarter-finals.

"Fiji lifted for the game. It's always an epic match between the two sides and it went down to the wire. It's unfortunate because I would love to have won, as it would have given the younger players confidence," said Tietjens.

The IRB Sevens circuit moves on to George for the Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens next weekend and Tietjens felt the new members of his squad were developing well.

"As a team we are coming on. Zar Lawrence is going to be a good footballer. Hayden Pedersen is new to Sevens rugby and it's about getting them conditioned for Sevens. You have to be on your game and can't afford to make mistakes or you will be punished," he said.

Tietjens is determined the side will bounce back in South Africa and mount a strong defence of the world title it has held for the last six years.

"Consistency has been the hallmark of this team and it will be no different this year. We just have to pick up our game from here and I am sure we will."

New Zealand beat France 17-7 in the Plate final.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY