Paul John’s men stunned the world four years ago when they tore up the form book to claim the coveted crown in Dubai. Wales currently occupy eighth place in the HSBC World Series rankings in this season’s campaign and face a stiff task to replicate their stunning feat of four years ago.
RWC Sevens 2013 will be staged at Moscow’s premier sports venue, Luzhniki Stadium, which has previously hosted the Olympic Games and the final of the UEFA Champions League, while the Pool Allocation Draw will take place on February 28 at Petroff Palace.
The men’s seeding takes into account the past two full HSBC Seven World Series seasons as well as the events in the current season up to the date of the Pool Allocation Draw.
For the men’s competition, teams will be divided into six pools of four and play in a round-robin format over the first two days before progressing to the knockout phase on the final day.
The 24 men’s teams and 16 women’s teams have nearly all been determined with only the South America region yet to hold its qualifying tournament. That event will take place from February 23-24 in Rio de Janeiro, the location for Rugby’s historic return to the Olympic Games programme in 2016.
Despite being beaten 40-23 by South Africa in Sunday’s Cup final at the Las Vegas round of the HSBC Sevens World Series, consistency over the past two full Series as well as during a compelling current campaign, has seen New Zealand build an unassailable points lead ahead of the RWC Sevens Pool Allocation Draw, which takes place in Moscow on February 28.
New Zealand will be joined in band one for the Rugby World Cup Sevens Pool Allocation Draw by Fiji, South Africa, England, Samoa and Australia, who have all secured their places.
Wales will be joined by Argentina, France, Kenya, Scotland and USA in band two while the third tier will include Canada, Portugal, Spain, Russia, Tonga and Zimbabwe.
Band four consists of Japan, Hong Kong, Georgia, Tunisia, Philippines and the final qualifier from the South American region.
Men’s Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 Rankings
1. New Zealand 429
2. Fiji 349
3. South Africa 338
4. Samoa 324
5. England 304
6. Australia 227
7. Wales 197
8. Argentina 183
9. France 144
10. Kenya 113
11. Scotland 93
12. USA 79
13. Canada 77
14. Portugal 49
15. Spain 42
16. Russia 19
17. Tonga 19
18. Zimbabwe 12
19. Japan 10
20. Hong Kong 5
21. Georgia 0
22. Tunisia 0
23. Philippines 0
24. S American Q* 0
The four bands of six for the men are as follows:
Band 1: New Zealand, Fiji, South Africa, Samoa, England, Australia
Band 2: Wales, Argentina, France, Kenya, Scotland, USA
Band 3: Canada, Portugal, Spain, Russia, Tonga, Zimbabwe
Band 4: Japan, Hong Kong, Georgia, Tunisia, Philippines, South American Qualifier
