An under-strength New Zealand arrive in Edinburgh this weekend for the final round of the world rugby sevens series with barely a whisper of a chance to finish runners-up.
Gordon Tietjens side have lost three finals this season -- at George, Wellington and last weekend at London -- and have already surrendered their world series crown, probably to South Africa who just need a point from Edinburgh to clinch the title.
The only other time New Zealand did not win the 10-year-old series was in the 2005/06 edition when they finished fourth with 76 points, having made just four semifinals in the eight-stop series.
South Africa, currently with 116 points, are in the box-seat to claim their first series title -- reaching the quarterfinals or even winning the lower bowl category will be enough.
London round winners England are second in the standings on 96, but would need to win the tournament and the maximum 20 points, while hoping for South Africa to come away empty-handed.
Gordon Tietjens' team, after losing to England in the London final, have been shorn of the steadying hand of skipper DJ Forbes and strike-weapon Lote Raikabula, and contain three 19-year-olds -- Tim Williams, Julian Savea and Kurt Baker.
One player hoping to get a run in Raikabula's absence is New Zealand-born Fijian, Save Tokula.
"I'm looking forward to the Scotland Sevens this weekend, I didn't have much game time in London," said Tokula, 23, a wing or centre.
"I have just got back from injury -- I broke my hand just before the World Cup in Dubai and it's a bit tough trying to get into the starting line-up but here's an opportunity and I have raised my hand.
"It's good to be back with the team that's been playing well."
New Zealand, who will be looking to complete a hat-trick of title wins at Murrayfield, have been pooled with top seeded South Africa this weekend, along with France and the United States.
South Africa coach Paul Treu is wary of New Zealand who beat his side 10-5 in the London semifinals.
"I am disappointed that we could not clinch the series in London and feel that we threw away our chances in the way we played against New Zealand," Treu said.
"If you want to be the best team in the world, you have to be consistent and we weren't that in London."
Hong Kong champions Fiji line up at Murrayfield as second seeds and head Pool B containing Australia, Portugal and Spain.
Pool C contains Kenya, England, Scotland and Canada while Argentina, Samoa, Wales and Georgia round off Pool D.
Edinburgh sevens pools A - South Africa, New Zealand, France, United States.
B - Fiji Australia, Portugal, Spain.
C - Kenya, England, Canada, Scotland.
D - Argentina, Samoa, Wales, Georgia.
Top 10 after seven of eight rounds: South Africa 116 points, England 96, Fiji 82, New Zealand 80, Argentina 68, Kenya 60, Samoa 36, Australia 24, United States 20, Portugal 15.
