New Zealand to begin Dubai Rugby Sevens title defence against Wales on December 5

For the first time, the World Series competition will be spread over three days

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 01:  Iukarisitine James Ng Shiu of New Zraland scores a try during the Cup Final match between New Zealand and United States on Day Three of the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens, the first leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series at The Sevens Stadium on December 01, 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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Dubai Rugby Sevens, December 5 -7

World Sevens Series Pools

A – Fiji, France, Argentina, Japan

B – United States, Australia, Scotland, Ireland

C – New Zealand, Samoa, Canada, Wales

D – South Africa, England, Spain, Kenya

New Zealand will begin the defence of their Dubai Rugby Sevens title when they face Wales on December 5.

The pools have been announced for the tournament, which marks the first leg of the World Sevens Series.

For the first time, the World Series competition will be spread over three days, with the opening round of matches to be played on the Thursday evening.

In the past, the opening day of the three-day sevens festival was reserved for invitational tournaments, as well as Women’s World Series matches.

The tournament is being played a week later than its traditional National Day weekend timeslot.

The three-day format for the World Series tournament matches that of the Hong Kong Sevens, as well as the 2009 Sevens World Cup, which was played in Dubai.

The international men’s teams will play one pool match each on the opening day, two on the Friday, with the knock out matches staged on the Saturday.

Canada, overseen by the former Jebel Ali Dragons coach Henry Paul, will raise the curtain on the tournament as they play Samoa on Pitch 1 at 5.06pm on Thursday, December 5.

The last match of the first evening will see South Africa start their bid to regain the title, as they face Kenya at 7.54pm.

The final will kick off at 7.02pm on Saturday, December 7. The cup final of the Women’s World Series tournament will also return to being played on the Saturday. It will kick off at 6.33pm.

Dubai Rugby Sevens, December 5 -7

World Sevens Series Pools

A – Fiji, France, Argentina, Japan

B – United States, Australia, Scotland, Ireland

C – New Zealand, Samoa, Canada, Wales

D – South Africa, England, Spain, Kenya