POOL A
NEW ZEALAND
Manager: Ross Everiss
Coach: Gordon Tietjens
Players: Sosene Anesi, Brad Fleming, Tafai Ioasa, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Matua Parkinson (c), Eric Rush, Anthony Tuitavake, Amasio Valence, Nathaniel Walker, Justin Wilson, Rudy Wulf
There was a time when we booed the Aussies, but loathed the Kiwis' clinical flair as much as their fans' dour smugness at winning, year after year. No longer as ominous as they were in 15s rugby, yachting, cricket, or anything really, New Zealand are still world 'Suvvens' champions and will remind the folks back home, still aglow from the Oscars, that a 'set' involves a referee and a huddle of six Sevens players, not a production crew, camera and lots of make-up, and a 'take' is something that has to be right first time, not a re-shot from a different angle. Watch for signs of excessive hobbit-like hair over the tops of the shorter Kiwis' socks but follow them past France and Argentina in the Cup before they thrash England, 27-19, in the final. Cheer
ITALY