New Zealand is not the only team with health issues heading into this weekend's World Seven Series leg in Cape Town.
Fiji celebrate winning the 2015 Dubai Sevens. Photo: World Rugby
The All Black Sevens have called in three replacements after five players were injured during the opening leg in Dubai.
Dubai winners Fiji have arrived in South Africa with a bout of food poisoning going through the squad.
Fiji coach Ben Ryan expects it will be a challenge for his players to back up their performance in South Africa.
He says the players are very tired, which hasn't been helped by a run of diarrhoea that has swept through the team.
Ben Ryan says a few other teams are also suffering but he's hopeful his players will be right by the weekend.
Meanwhile New Zealand finished the Dubai tournament with just five fit players with coach Gordon Tietjens describing the injury toll as the worst of his career.
All Black Sevens player Sherwin Stowers is out of the South Africa world series round after breaking his arm in Dubai. Photo: Photosport
Scott Curry has a dislocated shoulder, Gillies Kaka and Regan Ware both have ankle injuries, Tim Mikkelson suffered a concussion and Sherwin Stowers a broken arm.
They have been replaced by Manawtu's Antonio Kirikiri, Taranaki's Beaudein Waka and Manawatu's Ambrose Curtis who played for the side last year.
Waka was in Dubai but wasn't part of the 12 strong playing squad as he suffered a knee injury but has now been passed fit to play.
New Zealand play Samoa, France and Dubai in the first round in Cape Town on Saturday.
