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New Zealand and Fiji’s preparations for the upcoming Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai is well under way.

New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens has already named a training squad for the tournament on 5-7th of March, whilst Fiji’s selectors will be keeping a close eye on potential players at the Fiji Bitter Marist Sevens, taking place this weekend.

The New Zealand Rugby Union last year gave Tietjens permission to select one player for each of New Zealand's Rebel Sport Super 14 franchises for the World Cup to be held in Dubai.

However only two Super 14 players have received call ups for the enlarged training squad, Sosene Anesi from the Chiefs and Victor Vito from the Hurricanes.

The return of Vito will be welcome news to Kiwi fans. The young Wellington star plays number 8 in 15-a-side rugby but was converted into a wing for Sevens by Tietjens with spectacular effect. This included firing NZ to victory on home soil in Wellington and playing starring roles in Hong Kong and Adelaide before being snapped up by the Hurricanes Super 14 franchise.

Tietjens said while hampered by the recent injuries to his national squad, he was hopeful that those players selected would focus quickly on the Rugby World Cup opportunity. The coaching guru also added he was happy with the support from the Super 14 players and coaching staff.
"For this year's tournament, we took the approach of asking players to advise their interest in being considered for the Rugby World Cup Sevens," he said.

"We then spoke to all the coaches about those players and how selection for the Sevens might fit within the Super 14 season." Tietjens said the preference was on those players who had played Sevens rugby, particularly in the New Zealand Sevens team set-up.

"Both players have played in the New Zealand team previously so that is a plus," he said.

"Given our run of injuries, I am looking forward to working with this training squad to set up for and finalise the Rugby World Cup squad." Edwin Cocker (broken leg), Solomon King (wrist), and Tim Mikkelson (shoulder) were not considered for selection due to injury.

Fiji coaching director Ilivasi Tabua is set to have two teams playing under the Fiji banner for the Marist Sevens – the Fiji Warriors and the Fiji Barbarians. Tabua was hoping the tournament would provide an opportunity to use Fiji’s seasonal star players who have been plying their trade overseas for most their IRB Sevens World Series.

“At the moment only William Ryder and Filimone Delasu are the confirmed participants. The remaining players we are trying to secure for the World Cup are still overseas,” he said.

The FRU has less than 48 hours to assemble its seasonal stars who are plying their trade abroad before the start of the Marist Sevens.

“Some players are still overseas. Everyone’s expected to be in Fiji on February 23. We are still working on some players’ releases but we should announce a 20-member squad during the Marist 7s,” Tabua added.

The FRU wants former skipper Semisi Naevo, Sireli Bobo, Napolioni Nalaga, Neumi Nanuku and Filimoni Bolavucu.

Players from teams such as Red Rock and the Army will also pushing hard for selection with World Cup hopefuls Lepani Nabuliwaqa and Ponipate Kato out to impress. Kato was originally wanted in the Fiji squad by former coach Serevi but was dimmed unfit by the FRU.

The hulking Ba highlander could well be the Fiji team's missing link for the World Cup Sevens – mixing height, physicality, and experience. The 27-year-old last represented the national sevens team during the 2004 Hong Kong Sevens.

Apo Satala, who has been playing for Gloucester in England’s Guinness Premiership, is also in with a shout at selection after excelling at this season’s Middlesex Sevens.

New Zealand Sevens RWC training camp squad: Sosene Anesi (Waikato), Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), DJ Forbes (Captain, Counties Manukau), Paul Grant (Otago), Nigel Hunt (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), Tim Nanai Williams (Counties Manukau), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Willie Rickards (Southland), Julian Savea (Wellington), Ben Souness (Taranaki), Save Tokula (Waikato), Chad Tuoro (Counties Manukau), Nafi Tuitavake (North Harbour), Tu Umaga Marshall (Wellington), Victor Vito (Wellington), Viliame Waqaseduadua (North Harbour).