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Lull for Kiwis before storm

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NEW Zealand are happy, so are Australia. Western Samoa aren't - and no-one knows how Fiji feel going into the final day of preparation for the Hongkong Sevens.

The Kiwis were the first team to arrive in the territory last Saturday and are the first team to finish their preparation.

After five sessions at King's Park, coach Peter Thorburn has given the players the day off to relax.

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Under the captaincy of the dynamic Eric Rush, the Kiwis include five new faces in their nine-strong squad and the presence of Junior Paramore in the forwards and Frank Bunce in the backs has really toughened them up, particularly in defence.

They knew they needed to change their style after being blown away in last year's final and they feel they have found the right mixture of poise and power.

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As for Australia, who have not appeared in the final since 1989, captain Michael Lynagh was looking confident and relaxed yesterday and said today's session at Happy Valley would be a light workout.

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