The New Zealand Sevens team will be keen to return to their winning ways when they compete in the fourth leg of the IRB World Sevens circuit in Las Vegas this weekend.

New Zealand were beaten semi finalists 24 - 14 by Samoa  in Wellington at the weekend, losing their first tournament of the 2009/2010 circuit. It was a disappointing result for the home team, their sloppy defense being an obvious concern against the powerful Pacific Island nation.

They will be avoiding a repeat when the sevens circuit hits Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas for the first time this weekend. The tournament had been previously held in Los Angeles and San Diego, officials believing the event would be a better fit played in the entertainment capital.

New Zealand have drawn France, Guyana and Australia in Pool A.

New Zealand will meet France in the tournament opener, a team which haven’t quite hit their straps in the Sevens game to date. Looking to compete for second place in Pool A, France will be no pushover after making the Bowl final in Wellington, eventually losing to Wales 7 - 5.  

Guyana will compete for the first time this season, coming off their victorious NACRA (North America Caribbean Rugby Association) championship victory in Mexico in November. They will provide an exciting feature in Pool A, the little known side hoping to push above their weight against the bigger nations. New Zealand will play them in the middle of the opening days action.

New Zealand’s biggest assignment will be Australia, one of the many up and coming sides in the sevens game. Having knocked them out of the finals stage in Wellington,  Australia hit back to win the Plate final by beating South Africa 26 - 22, a team they cannot afford to underestimate in pool play.

Attacking ace Sherwin Stowers is the current try scoring leader with 19 heading in to the next leg . The standout performer has been a menace to opposition throughout the tournament, his running skills and trying scoring ability holding New Zealand’s place at the top of the standings.

New Zealand must improve on their defense and all round play if they are to be victorious in Las Vegas, with teams like Fiji breathing down their neck on the points ladder. If they can clean up their act this weekend, there is every chance they can gain maximum points and develop a runaway lead on the overall standings.

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