Without doubt their major opposition will be the Olympic Gold medalists Australia ($3.00), the second seeds.
In recent times the Black Ferns have beaten Australia 46-0, 33-7, and took the Commonwealth Games gold medal in a thrilling final that went to extra time.
The format has New Zealand first up against the 16th-seeded Mexico while the Aussies should have few problems making the quarter-finals by disposing of Papua New Guinea.
Australia won the initial World Cup for women in 2009, but the Black Ferns are the defending champions after winning in Russia in 2013. Everything points to the two heavyweights playing the final.
Best Bet: New Zealand Outright Winner at $1.40
Men
There are 24 countries in this competition with teams ranked 9-24 playing for the right, early in the tournament, to join the top eight seeded countries in the round of 16.
The seedings have South Africa, the world champions, at number one followed by Fiji, the Olympic champions, and then New Zealand, the defending champions, in third.
The All Black Sevens ($6.50) have twice won the title (Argentina - 2001, Russia - 2013), but their form in this season's World Series was inconsistent and makes them vulnerable to elimination at any stage.
The South Africans won the World title at the final tournament in Paris by a mere two points from Fiji and they, rightly, are the two favourites in San Francisco.
South Africa ($3.00) has never won this event but Fiji ($2.00) has won it twice.
Best Bet: Fiji Outright Winner at $2.00
The All Blacks Sevens team:
Kurt Baker
Dylan Collier
Scott Curry - captain
Trael Joass
Andrew Knewstubb
Jona Nareki
Tim Mikkelson - captain
Sione Molia
Salesi Rayasi
Joe Ravouvou
Akuila Rokolisoa
Regan Ware
The Black Ferns Sevens team:
Shakira Baker
Michaela Blyde
Kelly Brazier
Gayle Broughton
Theresa Fitzpatrick
Sarah Goss - captain
Tyla Nathan-Wong
Ruby Tui
Stacey Waaka
Niall Williams
Tenika Willison
Portia Woodman
What: Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
Where: AT&T Park in San Francisco, USA.
When:
Saturday 21 July: Women's playoffs - Men's qualifiers (coverage begins 4.55am)
Sunday 22 July: Women's playoffs – Men's playoffs – Women's finals (coverage begins 4.25am)
Monday 23 July: Men's playoffs – Men's finals (coverage begins 3.55am)
How to watch: The Rugby World Cup Sevens will be broadcast live on DUKE (Freeview channel 13 and channel 23 on Sky), with coverage starting at 4.55am tomorrow. The Herald will also be live blogging every All Blacks and Black Ferns game.
