27 Sep 2010

Lack of injuries a relief for Tietjens

7:18 pm on 27 September 2010

The New Zealand rugby sevens coach Gordon Tietjens is a relieved man after several of his players recovering from injury came through the weekend's ITM Cup matches unscathed as they wrap up their preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

All Black winger Hosea Gear, seven's stalwart and captain DJ Forbes and playmaker Tomasi Cama had been under injury clouds but all three played for their provinces over the weekend emerging from the action unscathed.

Forbes hadn't played since June and the recovery of the New Zealand team's talisman will be particularly pleasing for Tietjens who concedes he's been a nervous man for the past few weeks.

The sevens squad assemble in Auckland on Wednesday for two days of training and fly to Dubai on Friday for a five day camp before heading to Delhi late next week.

Waikato flanker Liam Messam's replaced the injured Otago forward Adam Thomson.