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Wales Sevens have seen the power of New Zealand close up when the two sides trained against each other in Delhi ahead of next week’s Commonwealth Games (11-12 October).

The World Cup holders also practiced against Arabian Gulf in Dubai before travelling to India today to join the remaining teams.

Wales are pooled with hosts India, Tonga and South Africa for Monday’s opening day at the Delhi University stadium.

"Our preparations this week have included conditioned training sessions against New Zealand and the Arabian Gulf,” said coach Paul John.

“They were extremely useful training sessions against quality opposition, with the New Zealand Commonwealth Games side particularly strong with three full internationals in Zac Guildford, Hosea Gear and Liam Messam along with five Super 14 players.

"We have continued to train well this week following our British based training camps. The temperature here regularly reaches 40 degrees which has given us a good sense of what to expect in India in terms of the intensity of the climate,” added the coach.

"The squad are getting on well on and off the training field and it's great to have a blend of youth and experience in the group.”

Winger Ifan Evans, who starred for the White Hart Marauders on the UK National Sevens Series this summer, has set a minimum quarter-final target for his side.

“The squad has gelled really well, with most of the players having trained and played together throughout last season,” he told Cambrian News.

“Our aim has to be to reach the quarters - and to have the belief to go further.”