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.

WATCH: Early-bird Kiwis train in the 'capital of sevens'

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.”

Williams and Liam Messam are two of the players Tietjens has been blooding back into the sevens set-up with an eye towards the sport’s debut at the Rio Olympics in August. The transition from 15s to the truncated form of the game was a hard thing to master, said the coach.

“That’s why you’ve got Sonny Bill Williams and Liam Messam who need to play tournaments,” said Tietjens. “You just cannot make the transition in a short space of time. You’ve got to play world series tournaments.

“The game’s evolved since the last time a lot of them would have played it. Even Sonny Bill Williams said the other day this game’s a different beast altogether. The condition levels are huge.”

As well as being the world series’ most prestigious event, Hong Kong is one of only two on the 10-leg calendar that – like the Olympic event – are played across three days.

“Hong Kong is always an exciting tournament and something all the players want to be part of,” said Tietjens. “It’s really the capital of the world in terms of sevens.”

The All Blacks Sevens come to Hong Kong following a 19-14 win over South Africa in the Vancouver leg of the series, which they added to victories in both Wellington (24-21 over South Africa) and Sydney (27-24 over Australia).

With three legs left after Hong Kong – and Olympic seedings being drafting according to world series results – it’s still all to play for.

New Zealand enter the fray against France on Friday night, with further pool A games against Kenya and then Samoa.

“I’ve got players that are hungry to be an Olympian,” said Tietjens. “They all want to go to Rio and every time they go out and play in the black jersey they know it might put them in that team to go to Rio.

“So you can’t afford not to play well. We’re looking at the world series first and foremost. To be getting up there and competing to win that world series we need to do well here. It would be great to win Hong Kong. It’s always special to win Hong Kong.

“At the end our ultimate goal is to be successful in Rio. But it’s going to be tough here. I couldn’t pick a winner but I certainly hope we’ll be there or thereabouts come Sunday night.”

Dylan Collier and Teddy Stanaway were the two players omitted from the 14-strong squad.