New Zealand will start on home soil as top seeds by virtue of their strong start to the season - Cup winners in both Dubai and George - but face defending Series champions South Africa in their pool in the third event of the World Series.
- NZI SEVENS MATCH SCHEDULE >>
Pool ANew Zealand
South Africa
Wales
Niue
Pool B
Fiji
Australia
Scotland
Papua New Guinea
Pool C
England
Kenya
USA
Tonga
Pool D
Samoa
Argentina
France
Canada
The Springbok Sevens team is currently eighth in the standings after twice losing in Plate finals, but will be hoping to bounce back at the Westpac Stadium and reclaim a title they last won in 2002. Also lining up in Pool A are Sevens World Cup-winners Wales and dangerous Oceania qualifiers Niue.
Fiji currently lie second in the World Series, 12 points adrift of New Zealand, and top Pool B as second seeds. They face Australia and Scotland on day one but the tie likely to generate most interest is their match against qualifiers Papua New Guinea, who are now coached by former Fiji player and coach, the great Waisale Serevi.
Defending NZI Sevens champions England are currently joint-third in the World Series and line up in Pool C with three tough matches against Tonga, George Cup semi finalists Kenya and the USA, who will be out to impress one week before their home event in Las Vegas.
Dubai runners-up Samoa top Pool D and will play against the impressive Pumas of Argentina, Canada and France.
"The new Sevens World Series is off to a superb start with tries, excitement, surprises and packed crowds - I think everyone is already looking forward to the next two legs in February," said IRB Sevens Manager, Beth Coalter.
"The standard of play in both Dubai and George was very high and it was exciting to see Russia really step up in both Tournaments.
"The established 'core' sides next face the challenge of the Oceania qualfiers, PNG, Niue and Tonga in Wellington and they always punch above their weight. With Canada also coming in and likely to be strong, the standard can only go higher.
"From what we have seen so far since the IOC's decision to grant the sport Olympic status from 2016, Sevens just gets bigger and better and the party atmosphere in Wellington guarantees that will continue."
