Seven important things about NZ 7s
Just five days out from the Wellington leg of the Sevens World Series there are seven things you should know.
1. Sevens Wellington will be celebrating its 16th birthday as part of the Sevens World Series this year.
Along with low-slung jeans, the 'Y2K bug', Backstreet Boys and Destiny's Child; the year 2000 also brought us Sevens Wellington. The tournament has since become the city's largest sporting event and contributes more than $6 million to the economy each year, as thousands of rugby mad fans flock to Westpac Stadium year in and year out.
2. Legend has it the fancy dress tradition began in 2000 when…
Sevens Wellington is unique in that the spectacle is as much about what's happening on the field as what's going on in the stands. Fans have the chance to dress-up and act a little less like an adult and more like a teenager or, in some cases, a teenage mutant ninja turtle. No one really knows who was the first to pull on a costume, or why, but that genius started a trend that other World Series tournaments have tried to replicate. Every year the costumes become more inventive but perennial favourites include nuns, Mexicans and fairies. Anything that's one size fits all is always a winner.
3. The All Black Sevens are currently third on the World Series table, behind South Africa and Fiji.
Yes, at this stage the 2014 champions are lagging behind in the overall series rankings. This year's series is more important than ever as the top four teams will automatically qualify for the Rio Olympics.
4. Papua New Guinea returns after a three-year hiatus.
This year Papua New Guinea is returning to the fore, the team's last appearance in the capital was in 2011. The team qualified after beating tournament regulars Tonga at the Oceania Sevens in Noosa in 2014. The underdogs are determined to be competitive at the weekend, so much so they sent a 16-man training squad to Fiji to help prepare for the tournament. Just one year out from Rio Olympics it's a great year to return to form for the side, but they face the toughest challenge, matched in a pool with the home side, England and Canada.
5. A knighted trio will be watching the All Blacks Sevens from the sidelines
One is obvious: the knight behind the All Blacks Sevens, Gordon Tietjens. Avid rugby fan Peter Leitch has vowed to be his vocal self in support, and former All Blacks Head Coach Graham Henry is all but confirmed to watch the seven-man spectacle. The man of the moment, Tietjens is now a veteran of well over 100 international sevens tournaments since taking over the side in 1994. During his reign the All Blacks Sevens have become the most successful sevens team in the world; four Commonwealth Games medals, 12 World Series titles and two World Championship Cups.
6. Besides rugby, there is a party
Like the costumes, entertainment has become an integral part of Sevens Wellington over the past 15 years. So much so the players themselves sometimes spark up and show off their dance moves following a breakaway try. The crowds are often caught on camera dancing in their seats and singing Kiwi classics loud and clear. Speaking of classics, there are no bigger Kiwi anthems than those sung by The Exponents, who will be headlining the show on Saturday. Australia's premier singer/songwriter, Jessica Mauboy, one of Australia's most popular contemporary acts – will be taking the stage on Friday night. Because there is no typical sevens fan, the retirees, university students and hens can be dancing to the same beat in one loud stadium.
7. Kids love Sevens Wellington too.
Every year children and their families come down to the Wellington waterfront to watch the costumed fans make their way to the stadium. Many of the kids get in on the fun, dressing as their favourite characters to feel part of the action. This year the Family Zone at Westpac Stadium sold out quickly and has now been extended to cater for the greater numbers of kids who want to come along to the tournament. Also, for the first time the Museum Art Hotel Costume Catwalk includes a special 'Best Effort' junior section for children 14 years. It comes with a prize pool to the value of NZ$500.
