An ominous sign: Sonny Bill Williams raises the bar for Kiwis at Hong Kong Sevens

Once master conditioner Gordon Tietjens was done casting his eyes over and cajoling the All Blacks Sevens during a breeze-up at So Kon Po on Tuesday you got the feeling he knew exactly how the questions would be framed.

“Sonny’s fine,” Tietjens reassured the waiting press pack.

And that’s great news for the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens which will present Sonny Bill Williams as one of superstars at Hong Kong Stadium this weekend.

A knee injury had forced the code-jumping star out of the HSBC Sevens World Series legs in Las Vegas and Vancouver, but to much relief he was last week named in the New Zealand touring squad - and then the final 12 chosen by Tietjens on Tuesday night.

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That’s an ominous sign for New Zealand’s opponents and while the man himself has been so far shielded from the spotlight off the training park, Tietjens was happy to talk about what he brings to a side that sits in third place in the world series standings on 104 points, just one behind South Africa (105) who trail leaders Fiji by one point (106).

“He loves the sport,” said Tietjens, of last year’s Rugby World Cup winner.

“He’s a great athlete and he commits himself very well. He’s got a professional work ethic.

“He’s a great example for all the younger players who come into the sevens environment and that’s what’s really special about him. He just sets such high standards. It’s just great for the environment.”