Wellington Sevens: Tietjens plans to mend defence in one week

Gordon Tietjens has stuck with the same 12 players for this week’s tournament in Las Vegas. Photo / Getty Images

Stung by their most listless Wellington outing in recent memory, the New Zealand sevens rugby team now have a week in Las Vegas to re-emerge as high rollers in the abbreviated game.

The International Rugby Board series moves from the colour of Wellington to the madness of Sin City, the United States' gambling capital set to host sevens for the first time.

While Fiji will have a spring in their step after pipping Samoa 19-14 in last night's epic final here, New Zealand have lost much of the momentum gained two months ago when they triumphed in Dubai and South Africa.

Coach Gordon Tietjens flies out with the same 12 players today and is sure to ram home the need for greater commitment than shown in the 24-14 semifinal loss to Samoa.

Lax defence and hesitancy in competing for the ball was fully exploited by the Samoans, who thrive on sensing another team aren't up for the fight.

"I think we played pretty well in this tournament up until now, and it's just one of those shabby semifinals," Tietjens said. "We missed a couple of tackles, and that was probably the key for us - the way we defended - so we're pretty disappointed in that.

"They broke us and they're very good in support as well. They matched us up front physically. They were always going to get up for New Zealand; they've done it in the past."

New Zealand's only two losses in 17 matches in this year's IRB series have both been to Samoa. They lost to them in pool play at George, South Africa.

The key to New Zealand's revival will be a return to the no-nonsense work up front that temporarily deserted the likes of captain D.J. Forbes and Lote Raikabula on Saturday.

A lack of foundation leaves few chances for the likes of flying winger Sherwin Stowers, who looked sharp all tournament in scoring four tries but was starved of chances against the Samoans.

Try-scorer honours for the tournament were shared by Fijian flyer Osea Kolinisau and Samoa's Mikaele Pesamino, both bagging seven.

Pesamino snared a double in the final and nearly got his team over the line, but they spilled a crucial pass on the hooter only metres short of the line to hand Fiji their third Wellington crown and first since 2006.

Kolinisau scored for the winners, along with Jiuta Lutumailaga and captain Emosi Vucago.

New Zealand lead the standings in the eight-leg series on 64 points, followed closely by Fiji's 60. Next are Samoa on 46 and England 44.

- NZPA