Kiwis top-ranked in Vegas
The IRB confirmed the pool draw for Round Five of the Sevens World Series, the US Sevens in Las Vegas, from February 10 to 12.
As Wellington Sevens champions, New Zealand top Pool A at the Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. They face a tough trio of matches against former Series champions Samoa, trans-Tasman rivals Australia and Japan.
Fiji reached their second Cup final of the Series in Wellington and, as runners-up, head Pool B and face matches against Canada, Argentina and tournament hosts, US.
France were drawn top of Pool C and they face matches against South Africa, Wales and South American qualifiers, Uruguay.
Kenya headed the draw in Pool D, where the Series’ third-ranked side England will start as favourites alongside Scotland and Brazil.
Following their second successive Cup win of the season, reigning Series champions New Zealand are now out on their own at the top of the Sevens World Series standings on 73, three clear of Fiji on 70 with England third on 64 and South Africa fourth with 61.
Las Vegas pools:
Pool A: New Zealand, Samoa, Australia, Japan
Pool B: Fiji, Canada, Argentina, United States
Pool C: France, South Africa, Wales, Uruguay
Pool D: Kenya, England, Scotland, Brazil
