Rugby Sevens: Good draw for NZ at Wellington tournament

New Zealand will be the favourites to progress from Pool B as the top side. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand have been treated kindly by the draw for the Wellington round of the International Rugby Board's world sevens series in February.

They top pool B containing Argentina, Scotland and Papua New Guinea.

The third round of the series starts on February 4, with England today confirmed as the top seeds.

New Zealand and England have a tournament victory each from the opening two rounds of the 2010-11 series.

Samoa are top of pool C and 2010 series champions Fiji are top of pool D.

One coach looking forward to his first visit to the Wellington tournament is Papua New Guinea mentor, former All Black Shane Howarth.

"I can't wait to be there. We will be ready to perform come the NZ sevens. Our goal is to make the cup quarterfinals," he said.

Howarth's team will warm up for the event at a sevens tournament in Darwin next month before a camp in Auckland.

Papua New Guinea starred at the Commonwealth Games in India in October when they won the bowl final.

"New Delhi was a stepping stone for the boys, confidence is a big thing and New Delhi gave them that. So often they turn up to tournaments and are just happy to be there, but the win will have given them a lot of confidence and mean they now turn up to compete."

Pools:-

Pool A: England, Wales, United States, Cook Islands.

Pool B: New Zealand, Argentina, Scotland, Papua New Guinea.

Pool C: Samoa, Australia, Kenya, Tonga.

Pool D: Fiji, South Africa, France, Canada.

- NZPA