NZ to focus on each game at RIO

Those who know what makes All Black Sevens coach Sir Gordon Tietjens tick, know that it would be foolish to write off his team's medal chances at the Rio Olympics.

In New Zealand, there are plenty of doom and gloom merchants who think that the All Black Sevens' third placing in the 2015‑16 World Sevens Series, 23 points behind winners Fiji, is an indication that Tietjens' man will not make the podium next month.

Playmaker Gillies Kaka says there have been a lot of injuries and they have not settled with a consistent team during the series.

Coach Gordon Tietjens says they will just focus on each game.

New Zealand is pooled with Kenya, Great Britain and Japan.

Meanwhile Fiji will take on Brazil in their first Rio Olympics pool game at 4.30am on August 10th, they will then face Argentina at 9.30am before taking on USA at 4.30am on August 11th.

The quarterfinals will start at 8am Thursday August 11th, the semis will start at 5.30am Friday August 12th and the final will kick off at 10am Friday August 12th.

Barring any upsets, Fiji will meet France, Kenya or Argentina in the Medal Quarter Final, Australia or Great Britain in the Medal Semi Final and NZ or South Africa in the Gold Medal Final.

The Rio Olympics opening ceremony will start at 11am next Saturday.