Rugby: NZ handed tough draw for Wellington sevens

NZ have been drawn with South Africa, Wales and Niue for February’s Wellington sevens. Photo / Getty Images

World series sevens rugby leaders New Zealand have been handed a tough draw for February's Wellington round.

New Zealand start on home soil as top seeds after winning the opening two rounds at Dubai and South Africa but face defending series champions South Africa, and world champions Wales in their pool for the third event on February 5-6.

The Springbok sevens team are currently eighth in the standings after twice losing in Plate finals. Also lining up in Pool A are dangerous Oceania qualifiers, Niue.

Second seeds Fiji, 12 points adrift of New Zealand, 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 Fiji legend, Waisale Serevi.

Defending Wellington champions England line up in Pool C with three tough matches against Tonga, South Africa semifinalists Kenya and the United States 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 the impressive Pumas of Argentina, Canada and France.

Pool A: New 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.

- NZPA