Some of New Zealand's best exponents of sevens rugby will be on display this weekend for the Bayleys National Sevens in Rotorua.

Sixteen men's teams and 10 women's teams will again compete in the two day tournament, which kicks off at Rotorua International Stadium on Saturday.

Taranaki taking on Auckland at Blake Park. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Just two weeks later the best sevens players in the world will descend on the capital as Wellington Sevens kicks off on Saturday, January 30.

'This will be a very exciting year for sevens with the Olympics in Rio de Janiero just around the corner,” says New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew.

'There's plenty at stake for all players with both national team coaches on the side-lines looking to finalise their squads for 2016.”

Up to four places in the All Blacks Sevens Wider Training Group will be confirmed by coach Sir Gordon Tietjens after the National Sevens.

New Zealand Women's Sevens coach Sean Horan will also finalise his 2016 squad.

Also making an appearance at the tournament will be All Black Sonny Bill Williams who will be conducting on behalf of ACC, a rugby skills and drills session.

This weekend's tournament is set to see some interesting match ups. In the men's draw Auckland and Hawke's Bay head their pools after winning the northern and central regional qualifying tournaments respectively.

Counties Manukau, runners up to Auckland top Pool C while 2015 champions, Waikato, head Pool D.

On the women's side of the draw, northern winner Counties Manukau heads Pool 1. Central winner and this year's runner up, Manawatu, top Pool 2.

The Bay of Plenty men's team get their tournament underway against Northland at 12.05pm on field one. Then go up against South Canterbury on field two at 3.55pm before their final match against Auckland on field one at 6.35pm.

Organisers of the National Sevens are hoping locals and visitors take advantage of the chance to see some of the best sevens players in the country in action.

'It's a fantastic opportunity for the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua community to get involved in an action packed weekend,” says Bay of Plenty Rugby chief executive Mike Rogers.

'Providing great sevens talent, and a fantastic family day out with food and entertainment for the kids; it certainly adds to Rotorua's vibrancy over the holiday period not just for locals but visitors too."

The tournament kicks off at 10am on Saturday.

Pools Men Pool A: Auckland, Northland, Bay of Plenty, South Canterbury

Pool B: Hawke's Bay, Otago, Wellington, Taranaki

Pool C: Counties Manukau, North Harbour, Wanganui, Mid Canterbury

Pool D: Waikato, Manawatu, Tasman, Canterbury

Women Pool 1: Counties Manukau, Waikato, Wellington, North Harbour, Otago

Pool 2: Manawatu, Auckland, Wairarapa Bush, Canterbury, Tasman