Host nation Australia is drawn with third seed South Africa in Pool C and face two more tough matches on day one against North American rivals Canada and USA.
Runaway Series leaders New Zealand top the seeds in Adelaide and have been drawn in Pool A with Scotland, Argentina and the Cook Islands, who secured their berth in Adelaide through the Papua New Guinea Sevens qualifying event in November last year.
Pool D is arguably the toughest of the four with defending champions Fiji drawn against England, France and the newly semi-professional Sevens outfit from Kenya.
Having won all four opening Cup titles of the season, a feat never previously achieved, New Zealand hold a massive 32-point lead over closest rivals South Africa in the Series standings. However, with the Hong Kong tournament offering extra points to the winners the weekend before the Adelaide showpiece, the Series could well arrive in Australia with competitiveness restored.
“I think the first Adelaide tournament in 2007 left every player and fan wanting more and looking forward to this year’s event,” said IRB Sevens Manager Beth Coalter.
“Organising a 16-team rugby tournament at cricket’s Adelaide Oval for the very first time, and on an Easter weekend, provided real challenges for the event, which it overcame fantasically well. The crowd was impressive for a first year and with the Oval providing such a well-known and charming backdrop to the action and excitement on the pitch, I think we can expect even more fans and fun this year,” she added.
