Preview - IRB Sevens in London

New Zealand looking to wrap things up

As the 2004/05 IRB Sevens series wings its way to London for the penultimate leg of the tournament, the engravers might as well start carving 'New Zealand' onto the silverware - only the mother of all upsets can stop the black attack now.

The New Zealanders have claimed five world title in the last five seasons, and have won four of this year's five previous legs.

That's not to say they will be resting on their laurels at Twickenham. New Zealand are still in the process of exorcising the memories of Fiji's victory in the 2005 Rugby World Cup Sevens, and they know that a sixth consecutive IRB Sevens crown will show the upstarts from the islands who's boss.

New Zealand are without captain Liam Messam, Tamati Ellison, Roy Kinikinilau and Lifeimi Mafi who are all on duty elsewhere this weekend, but Joe Rokocoko and Jerome Kaino are hardly ringers from the local pub team.

Indeed, one of the highlight of the weekend will be seeing these two exiled men doing everything within their powers to attract the attention of All Black boss Graham Henry ahead of the Lions series.

England and Fiji - occupying joint second-place in the standings - are a full 28 points behind the table leaders, but England captain Simon Amor is hoping that home advantage will help his side record their third consecutive win at HQ.

"Twickenham is always a special place to play rugby and there is real motivation amongst the England squad, as there always is before a tournament, to get out there and win this weekend," said the 2005 IRB Sevens Player of the Year.

"Its great to play in front of a home crowd and your friends and family and with Twickenham being the only UK leg of the IRB Sevens this is our only chance."

New Zealand share Pool A with Scotland, Tunisia and Russia, while England face Samoa, France and the ever-popular Georgians in Pool B.

Fiji and Australia face off in Pool C, alongside Italy and Canada, while - with the now famous performance against the Lions still fresh in the mind - Argentina sets out in a very competitive Pool D, which also includes South Africa, Kenya and Portugal.

The first day at Twickenham also features a XV-a-side match between sides brought together by Jonah Lomu and Martin Johnson, and Amor is excited to share a stage one of the most famous and respected Sevens players of all time.

"Jonah Lomu was made on the sevens circuit," said Amor.

"He was discovered by the New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens and made his first real impression playing for New Zealand in the Hong Kong Sevens.

"I came close to playing against him at the London Sevens a few years ago but we just lost to Fiji and it meant that we didn't get to play New Zealand. But just to see him play on the pitch was fantastic a guy that big and with so much pace was incredible.

"Jonah has done so much for the game of Sevens. He has really raised the profile and been a great ambassador for the whole sport.

"It is tremendous and very fitting that he will be back in action as part of the Sevens weekend on Saturday."

IRB SEVENS, LONDON - DAY ONE SCHEDULE:
(All kick-off times are local - GMT +1)

POOL A:
(New Zealand, Scotland, Tunisia, Russia)
New Zealand v Tunisia, 09.58
Scotland v Russia, 10.20
New Zealand v Russia, 13.02
Scotland v Tunisia, 13.24
Tunisia v Russia, 15.28
New Zealand v Scotland, 16.56

POOL B:
(England, Samoa, France, Georgia)
England v France, 10.42
Samoa v Georgia, 11.04
England v Georgia, 14.00
Samoa v France, 14.22
France v Georgia, 15.50
England v Samoa, 17.18

POOL C:
(Fiji, Australia, Canada, Italy)
Fiji v Canada, 09.14
Australia v Italy, 09.36
Fiji v Italy, 12.18
Australia v Canada, 12.40
Canada v Italy, 15.06
Fiji v Australia, 16.34

POOL D:
(Argentina, South Africa, Kenya, Portugal)
Argentina v Kenya, 08.30
South Africa v Portugal, 08.52
Argentina v Portugal, 11.34
South Africa v Kenya, 11.56
Kenya v Portugal, 14.44
Argentina v South Africa, 16.12

DAY TWO SCHEDULE:

M25: Quarter-Final Bowl - 3rd Pool A v 4th Pool B, 11:00  
M26: Quarter-Final Bowl - 3rd Pool D v 4th Pool C, 11:22  
M27: Quarter-Final Bowl - 3rd Pool C v 4th Pool D, 11:44  
M28: Quarter-Final Bowl - 3rd Pool B v 4th Pool A, 12:06  
M29: Quarter-Final Cup - 1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B, 12:53   
M30: Quarter-Final Cup - 1st Pool D v 2nd Pool C, 13:15  
M31: Quarter-Final Cup - 1st Pool C v 2nd Pool D, 13:37  
M32: Quarter-Final Cup - 1st Pool B v 2nd Pool A, 13:59   
M33: Semi-Final Shield - Loser M25 v Loser M26,  14:31  
M34: Semi-Final Shield - Loser M27 v Loser M28, 14:53  
M35: Semi-Final Bowl - Winner M25 v Winner M26, 15:15    
M36: Semi-Final Bowl - Winner M27 v Winner M28, 15:37  
M37: Semi-Final Plate - Loser M28 v Loser M30, 15:59  
M38: Semi-Final Plate - Loser M31 v Loser M32, 16:21   
M39: Semi-Final Cup - Winner M29 v Winner M30, 17:06   
M40: Semi-Final Cup - Winner M31 v Winner M32, 17:28  
M41: Shield Final - Winner M33 v Winner M34, 17:50   
M42: Bowl Final - Winner M35 v Winner M36, 18:18   
M43: Plate Final - Winner M37 v Winner M38, 18:46   
M44: Cup Final - Winner M39 v Winner M40, 19:14