Tietjens’ men ‘more than hungry’

The message was loud and clear. New Zealand are 'more than hungry'. This was the missive mastermind Gordon Tietjens had for the rest of the pack snapping at New Zealand's heels. They would all have been hoping the latest setback to the defending champions - they lost vice-captain Lote Raikabula to injury before a ball was kicked - would have put the favourites' campaign in disarray.

That was hardly the case, said Tietjens, who was forced to call up sevens novice Jack Wilson to replace Raikabula, who suffered a knee injury.

If losing the season's leading try-scorer, Frank Halai, and Hong Kong Sevens veterans Toby Arnold and Solomon King before arriving in town wasn't bad enough, the men in black again showed they have strength in depth.

'When you think of losing Lote, Toby [Arnold], Solomon [King], Frankie [Halai], it's massive. But what this has done is given the opportunity for the others to dig in and show what can be achieved. It certainly has made us even more hungry to win,' Tietjens said.

Wilson hasn't played sevens at all this season and was in Hong Kong for the GFI HKFC Tens at Hong Kong Football Club this week.

He will have big boots to fill as Raikabula has been a tower of strength in past teams, and was a key component in New Zealand's plans to stretch their lead at the top of the world standings.