New Zealand are dominant forces in both men's and women's rugby but Tew warned that neither can rest on their laurels if they want to claim the ultimate prize in Brazil when rugby is staged in the Olympics for the first time since Paris in 1924.

"We've obviously got a very proud record in the men's sevens environment but if we just keep doing what we're doing, we don't think that will be enough because the gold medal attraction will certainly up the ante in some countries that are currently involved and probably in some that aren't," he said.

"We'll see some bigger nations say, 'Hang on, two gold medals that haven't previously been won by anybody are up for grabs - what do we have to do?'

"We've seen the strength of commitment from Australia, South Africa, England and the Pacific Islands.

"It may not be 2016 but by the time we get to 2020 we could see countries that haven't taken rugby that seriously before right in the mix.

"Imagine what would be possible if the Chinese, Americans or Russians start taking sevens seriously."

The expectation is that New Zealand should grab a double-gold.

Their men's team has won all four Commonwealth Games gold medals and eight of the 11 IRB Series titles and are nigh on unbeatable when able to call on their formidable XVs stars such as the irresistible Dan Carter.

The women's game is more of an unknown as there is a scarcity of sevens rugby on the female de but the Black Ferns' dominance of the XVs game suggests New Zealand has the ideal launching pad.

But New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens, says such thinking will only become a reality if preparations to get youngsters involved in rugby sevens begin straight away even though there are still five years to go to Rio 2016.

"We have to start planning now," said Tietjens.

"Many of our 2016 players are still at school, and it's about providing them with opportunities to play sevens.

"I know we've got a congested rugby programme but we've got to fit it in somewhere; it's that important.

"We've set the benchmark.

"A lot of teams have gone out now and are doing exactly what we do.

"To keep ahead of the field we've got to keep evolving.

"Going to the Olympics would be the ultimate challenge.

"It would be a dream for a lot of people to have the opportunity to go to the Olympics."

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