'Joe will go close. He will inject express pace to the side'
All Blacks winger Joe Rokocoko will star for New Zealand at the fourth Rugby World Cup Sevens, and his presence will add more weight to the claim the defending champions are the outright favourites to win the March 18-20 tournament at the Hong Kong Stadium.
New Zealand's longstanding sevens coach, Gordon Tietjens, last night gently brushed aside all talk that his sleek and sensational outfit - who have won the past three IRB Sevens tournaments - are the hot favourites, and said the focus was on improving all the time.
And Tietjens suggested one way to do that to his champion outfit would be to inject more pace into the side - enter Rokocoko. The Fiji-born paceman scored 11 tries in his first seven Tests for the All Blacks and has since gone on to become one of the best international wingers since Jonah Lomu powered his way over opponents.
'I will name my team for the World Cup Sevens next Friday, but Joe Rokocoko will go close. He will inject express pace to the side,' Tietjens said.
Tietjens also confirmed he could also draw upon more talent from the Super 12. 'Yes, I will include a couple or more Super 12 players for Hong Kong. I have been given this option and I intend to use it.'