Wales have once again been given a tough draw in the third round of the IRB Sevens World Series to be staged in Wellington, New Zealand on 5-6 February 2010.
Paul John’s side currently stand in ninth position on the points table after two rounds with eight points, with New Zealand leading the way with 48.
In the opening round Wales were grouped with current series champions South Africa and rapidly improving Australia while last weekend they were in the same group as Samoa and New Zealand, both finalists from the opening weekend’s action. On both occasions they were unable to make the main draw.
For the third round they have once again been grouped with top seeds New Zealand and South Africa along with Niue. 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.
“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
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
