Given they’re such a small nation, it’s no surprise that New Zealand don’t normally return home with their luggage filled with medals. But when it comes to rugby, they’ll fancy their chances as ever…

Men’s Rugby Sevens

They’re joint favourites alongside Fiji and South Africa to take gold. First up, they’ll have to finish in the Top 2 in a group containing Great Britain, Kenya and Japan.

The stand-out name in their squad is Sonny Bill Williams. He was only the second player ever to represent the All Blacks in Rugby Union after playing Rugby League for New Zealand and won both the 2011 and 2015 Rugby Union World Cups.

Not content with being a rugby superstar in two codes, he also decided to turn his hand to professional boxing, winning all six of his heavyweight fights.

Other key players are DJ Forbes, the former captain, and Tim Mikkelson.

Women’s field hockey

The New Zealand Women have never won a medal of any description at the Olympics but this might yet represent their best chance, though they’d rather have avoided the defending champions Netherlands, in the Group Stages.

They started the tournament well, winning 4-1 against South Korea. Amongst the stars of the Black Sticks, the team’s nickname, is Charlotte Harrison who scored in that first match and holds the honour of being the youngest player ever to represent them, making her debut at just 16. Her sister Samantha has also played in the side but commentators and officials will be glad she’s not there- they’re very similar in appearance and often the subject of mistaken identity.

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