Tuned-up NZ aim to stifle England

New Zealand's early elimination in Cardiff last weekend for one of their worst tournament results in the International Rugby Board sevens series sparked a week of gut-busters for the team.

Players endured the feared physical fitness sessions that coach Gordon Tietjens is known for.

England upstaged the series champions of the past three seasons, winning 14-10 in the quarter-finals of the Welsh leg, won by Chester Williams' South Africa.

The series finale takes place in London this weekend, with New Zealand playing Canada, Italy and then France in the pool rounds.

England will be even stronger this week with the return of Ben Gollings. He had been suspended for three weeks for a red card in a club game.

Tietjens said England would be extremely hard to beat this weekend as Gollings had added more speed to the side.

"They've got three or four tearaway guys. We have fast players but they've got speed all over the park," he said.

But Tietjens was confident the experience among his forwards would enable him to alter game plans to counter England's speed.

"There's very little between teams these days - even the pool games are pretty tough.

"We just have to be more patient and get the phases going to score tries. Possession is everything."

New Zealand beat Fiji 38-0 in the Cardiff tournament plate semifinal, before downing Australia in the final.

"It was very disappointing for us," Tietjens said. "We analysed our games on video and we have worked pretty hard this week."

New Zealand still lead the series by 12 points from England and will win the title as long as they make the semifinals.

Pools:

Pool A: New Zealand, France, Canada and Italy.

Pool B: England, Argentina, Scotland and Georgia.

Pool C: Fiji, South Africa, Portugal and Russia.

Pool D: Australia, Samoa, Wales and Spain.

New Zealand squad: Eric Rush (capt), Josh Blackie, Craig de Goldi, Jason Tiatia, Tafai Ioasa, Amasio Valence, Roy Kinikinilau, Nathaniel Walker, Liam Messam, Hayden Reid, Jared Going, Hosea Gear.

- NZPA