New Zealand arrived last night missing inspirational captain Tafai Iaosa, who was a late withdrawal after injuring his knee in a four-day training camp last week. Iaosa has been a standout figure in coach Gordon Tietjens' campaigns in recent years.

Auckland's D.J. Forbes will take over the captaincy and Otago's Adam Thomson, the only new face in the squad, will replace Iaosa. Tietjens said Thomson deserved his selection. 'Adam is a very skilful player with a big, athletic frame and he offers us additional height.'

New Zealand and Fiji are joint leaders in the IRB Sevens, on 60 points. The Kiwis won the George leg last December. They also finished runners-up in Dubai and made semi-final appearances in Wellington and San Diego.