Johannesburg – New Zealand's Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 title ambitions have been given a massive boost after the International Rugby Board confirmed that the All Blacks Sevens side have secured the position as number one seeds for the showcase event in Moscow on June 28-30.
Despite being beaten 40-23 by South Africa in Sunday’s Cup final at the Las Vegas round of the Sevens World Series, consistency over the past two full Series as well as the 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 Sevens Pool Allocation Draw by Fiji, South Africa, England, Samoa and Australia, who have all secured their places.
New Zealand’s experienced playmaker Tomasi Cama said: “Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow is the big focus for us this year. We haven’t won it for many years now so we want to turn that around in 2013. We are using the series as our preparation for that. Hopefully we will win the series first and then take that form into the tournament.”
Band two for the draw will consist of defending champions Wales, Argentina, France, Kenya, Scotland and USA 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.
Meanwhile, the women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens rankings were confirmed last week with England, Australia, Canada and USA making up the top band.
Men's Rugby World Cup Sevens Top Ten 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. – Sapa