All Blacks Sevens and Fiji drawn together as Dubai Sevens pools set for season opener

New Zealand and Fiji have been drawn together in Pool B of the Dubai Sevens, renewing one of the HSBC SVNS Series’ most enduring rivalries at the season-opening event on November 28-29. Paris Olympics gold medallists France and Spain complete a formidable group to kick off the 2027 campaign.

France arrive with momentum after a memorable home victory at SVNS Bordeaux, where Les Bleus beat the All Blacks Sevens 14-5 in the final. Despite that triumph, France finished seventh overall in the SVNS World Championship standings, with South Africa and New Zealand claiming the top two spots and Spain rounding out the podium.

Spain’s rise as a genuine SVNS powerhouse has been one of the story lines of recent seasons. Pol Pla and Manu Moreno made history in 2025 by becoming the first Spaniards named to the Men’s Sevens Dream Team, while prolific try-scorer Jeremy Trevithick earned the same honour after the 2026 season.

Pool A is headlined by South Africa, who arrive as reigning League and World Championship title holders. The Blitzboks will face Australia, a side that has beaten them on multiple occasions in recent seasons, as well as Argentina. The USA complete the group after earning their return to the top division through Lucas Lacamp’s dramatic match-winning try against Fiji at SVNS Bordeaux — a score that completed a remarkable comeback and ended Kenya’s top-flight status.

Dubai is the first stop on a familiar circuit that moves to Cape Town before the New Year, followed by Singapore, Perth, Vancouver and New York in the regular season. The World Championship then visits Hong Kong on April 9-11, Valladolid on May 21-23, and concludes in Bordeaux on May 28-30 — exactly one year before the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Dubai Sevens Men’s Pools

Pool A: South Africa, Australia, Argentina, USA

Pool B: New Zealand, Spain, Fiji, France

Dubai Sevens Women’s Pools

Pool A: Australia, USA, France, Spain

Pool B: New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Fiji