Hosts New Zealand have been handed a tough first day assignment at their home NZI Sevens, to be played at Wellington's Westpac Stadium on 6-7 February 2009.

The pools and match schedule have been announced, confirming that the kiwis will face trans-Tasman rivals Australia as well as Wales and relative unknowns Niue on the first day of the tournament, which is again the third in the IRB Sevens World Series.

- NZI SEVENS MATCHES
- NZI SEVENS POOLS

South Africa are the tournament's number one seeds, having won the first two Cup titles of the new season in Dubai and George, and face arguably the toughest pool challenge of all the top sides.

The Boks will play Series regulars Kenya and Scotland as well as Tonga, who reached the Cup semi finals at the same stadium last year.

After finishing runners-up in Dubai and winning the Plate in George, England are third seeds and top pool C, in which they face Argentina, France and Canada.

Waisale Serevi's Fijians head pool D and will play a mouth-watering tie against Samoa, whom they have already beaten in two Cup quarter finals this season, as well as George Cup quarter finalists USA and another competitive South Pacific island side in the Cook Islands.

2009 a massive year for Sevens

After their victories in Dubai and George, South Africa lie at the top of the World Series standings with a maximum 40 points, ahead of New Zealand on 28 and England and Fiji on 24.

"With the Rugby World Cup Sevens fast approaching at the beginning of March, and following hot on the heels of the Series events in Wellington and San Diego a week later, 2009 is set to be a massive year for Sevens," said IRB Sevens Manager Beth Coalter.

"Never before have South Africa won two events in the same season but already they've won twice this year so it will be interesting to see how the other sides respond, especially New Zealand who will be defending their home title in Wellington.

"It will also be intriguing to see whether any of the teams start drafting in any big-name 15-a-side players ahead of the World Cup.

"With the IOC also set to make its decision about the 2016 Olympic Games programme later in the year, whichever way you look at it 2009 is set to be an extra special one for Sevens, and the whole of rugby."