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The Westpac Stadium is priming itself for the return of the world’s top Sevens sides as the third leg of the IRB Sevens World Series kicks off on Friday.

Since Dubai and George many of the side’s, albeit playing under different banners, have been preparing at the Hottest 7s in Darwin (Australia and Kenya) and at the Suva Rugby Festival in Fiji (Fiji, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Canada and USA).

All the action now returns to the IRB circuit and the New Zealand Sevens, however, before the teams fly off to Las Vegas the following weekend.

Pool A

Victories in Dubai and George leaves this weekend’s hosts New Zealand sitting comfortably on top of the standings and there is even more incentive to produce a hat-trick of triumphs in front of an expectant home crowd.

The hosts have been handed a tough pool, however, with reigning World Cup champions Wales their opening fixture.

Pool A will provide some classic first round action with reigning IRB Series champions South Africa also standing in the way of the hosts - and what better way to stamp their authority on this year’s circuit than a meeting with their apparent successors.

South Africa head coach Paul Treu described the Wellington and Las Vegas tournaments as the two most difficult challenges on the circuit.

"The time-difference and travel make these two events tougher for us. We are in a strong pool (in Wellington) and it will not be easy going,” said Treu.

“Niue is an unknown factor, but Wales and New Zealand are two big games and we will have to be at our best from the start.”

Pool B

Fiji, the Kiwis' biggest threat so far in this series, head Pool B - where Australia and Scotland block their pathway to the play-offs.

Papua New Guinea, appearing in their first IRB Sevens leg under the guidance of Waisale Serevi, will be buoyed after a Bowl semi-final appearance in Suva, but will face a tough opening pool match against Australia on Friday.

The Westpac Stadium is famous for its atmosphere and Scotland head coach Stephen Gemmell, who has called up teenager Duncan Weir into his 12-man squad in one of four changes from George, believes the ‘Cake Tin’ cauldron is an experience to savour.

“It is very difficult to prepare the players for what they are about to get this weekend,” Gemmell told the IRB.

“It is unbelievable. All I have said to the players is savour the week, savour the atmosphere. Being in New Zealand, a rugby mad country, and with 2011 coming up there is a real buzz about the place and for any young aspiring rugby player they need to take it all in.”

Pool C

Pool C could also provide some real drama, with England and Kenya - the latter ever the crowd favourites and the former the reigning Wellington Sevens holders - sure to contest top spot in their pool in the last round of matches on Friday.

USA, one of the sides who participated in Suva, will hope to reap the rewards of their preparation which also included training matches with Fiji, and could make their first Cup quarter-final this year.

Coach Al Caravelli has recalled Kevin Swiryn as captain, and his side will be looking to put in a strong performance before they go to Las Vegas with high expectations to perform and give the debutant Las Vegas Sevens another reason to be remembered.

“It was different having the camp in Fiji but it was excellent preparation for the next leg of the series in Wellington and our home tournament in Las Vegas. We all believe this was an excellent foundation for not only this leg but for the rest of the series,” said Caravelli.

Pool D

Samoa and Argentina are the fancied teams in Pool D, but France - despite often blowing hot-and-cold - have the capacity to upset the big guns.

Canada will never surrender, but their most likely victories are to come from Day Two’s action – although they will fancy their chances when they meet France last on Day One.

Samoa announced its squad of 12 to compete in the third leg of the IRB Sevens World Series last week inclduing two former captains, returning playmaker Uale Mai and forward enforcer Ofisa Treviranus, both of whom played for the Samoa Barbarians at the Suva Festival in Fiji.

“I think we have been looking at trying to strengthen our bench, looking for players who can come off the bench and add more credibility to the game, and add more consistency,” said Samoa head coach Stephen Betham about the selections.

“Like any other team he (Mai) has to win his spot back and at this stage he will be coming off the bench.

"But we are hoping he will filter some of that experience into the younger players. Ofisa too has to fight and win his place back.”

NZI Pools:

Pool A: New Zealand, South Africa, Wales, Niue.
Pool B: Fiji, Australia, Scotland, Papua New Guinea.
Pool C: England, Kenya, United States, Tonga.
Pool D: Samoa, Argentina, France, Canada.

Schedule, Day One:
(Kick-off is local time - GMT + 13 hours)
Match 1: Samoa v France, 13.00
Match 2: Argentina v Canada, 13.22
Match 3: England v United States, 13.44
Match 4: Kenya v Tonga, 14.06
Match 5: Fiji v Scotland, 14.28
Match 6: Australia v Papua New Guinea, 14.50
Match 7: New Zealand v Wales, 15.12
Match 8: South Africa v Niue, 15.34
Match 9: Samoa v Canada, 15.56
Match 10: Argentina v France, 16.18
Match 11: England v Tonga, 16.40
Match 12: Kenya v United States, 17.02
Match 13: Fiji v Papua New Guinea, 17.24
Match 14: Australia v Scotland, 17.46
Match 15: New Zealand v Niue, 18.08
Match 16: South Africa v Wales, 18.30
Match 17: France v Canada, 18.52
Match 18: United States v Tonga, 19.14
Match 19: Scotland v Papua New Guinea, 19.36
Match 20: Wales v Niue, 19.58
Match 21: Samoa v Argentina, 20.50
Match 22: England v Kenya, 21.12
Match 23: Fiji v Australia, 21.34
Match 24: New Zealand v South Africa, 21.56