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Fiji’s South Sea Drifters have been placed as number one seeds by organisers for this weekend’s 2010 Heineken Hottest 7s in Darwin (23-24 Jan).

The Drifters, winners of the inaugural Gold Coast Sevens in November, will once again bring players who have either played for Fiji or are on the cusp of national selection and have been particularly dominant in Australia’s Top End in recent years.

Under the stewardship of Waisale Serevi they won both the 2007 and 2008 tournament, before being pipped in last year’s final by the Samoan Barbarians.

Kenya, playing under the Wakimbizi Sevens banner, can consider themselves unlucky to be named second seeds such is the strength of their side. IRB Sevens regulars such as Humphrey Kayange, Collins Injera, Innocent Simiyu, and Sidney Ashioya will all be present at Austar Park as the Africans preparations for the third and forth legs of the 2009/10 Series in Wellington and Las Vegas continue.

Another side preparing for the IRB Sevens will be Australia, playing in Darwin as the Aussie Spirit. Coached by national head Michael O’Connor, they line-up as third seeds. Fiji's Davetalevu are ranked fourth whilst perennial Sevens powerhouse Samurai International are fifth seeds. Samurai have a Trans-Tasmani feel to their side this year and will be coached Geoff Alley from North Harbour.

The five highest seeds will receive a bye in round one.

All other teams are seeded with the sides ranked 6-27 competing in the first round to go through to the Croc and Buff competitions, which will feature the top 16 teams competing in 4 pools of 4. The 11 losing teams will go on to compete in the Barra and Shield competitions. All teams will play a minimum of 6 games over the Saturday and Sunday of the tournament.

2010 Darwin Hottest Sevens (Seeds)

Drifters (1) Pool A (1st Round Bye)
Wakimbizi Sevens (2) Pool B (1st Round Bye)
Aussie Spirit Pool C (3)(1st Round Bye)
Davetalevu Pool D (4) (1st Round Bye)
ULR Samurai International (5) Pool D(2) (1st Round Bye)

1st Round:
Game 1: SRC Borneo Eagles (6) v Kirby Bush Lions (27) Winner to C2, Loser to F4
Game 2: Randwick (7) v Katherine Pirates (26) Winner to B2, Loser to G4
Game 3: Tuggeranong Vikings (8) v Brahmans Boks (25) Winner to A2, Loser to G3
Game 4: Sunnybank (9) v Groote Eylandt Mudchooks (24) Winner to A3, Loser to F3
Game 5: NT Mosquitoes (10) v Alice Springs 'Spacific' (23) Winner to B3, Loser to E3
Game 6: Brisbane Nadi (11) v Palmerston (22) Winner to C3, Loser to E2
Game 7: The Country King Browns (12) v Becker NCS Mining Dirty Dozen (21) Winner to D3, Loser to F2
Game 8: Casuarina Cougars (13) v One Brigade 'Spartans (20) Winner to D4, Loser to G2
Game 9: Coopers Bula Boys (14) v University Pirates (19) Winner to C4, Loser to G1
Game 10: Darwin Dingoes (15) v East Arnhem (18) Winner to B4, Loser to F1
Game 11: Western Quokkas (16) v Top End Taipans (17) Winner to A4, Loser to E1