Over the last few years the Wellington Sevens has quickly established itself as one of the premier tournaments on the IRB Sevens World Circuit. Once again this year’s event falls over the traditional Waitangi Day celebrations, only adding fuel to the fire to what’s become one of New-Zealand’s biggest parties as the masses head.
The Hurricane’s Westpac stadium, otherwise known as the ‘Cake Tin’, will once again host 16 teams chasing vital IRB Sevens World Series points.
At the Hong Kong Sevens, the South Stand has reached legend status over the years for its fun fuelled antics. What the NZI Sevens prides itself on is the fact that the whole of the ‘Cake-Tin’ gets into the spirit with outrageous fancy dress, making it a firm favourite amongst the players who revel in the electrical atmosphere.
For all those Kiwi fans the timing of the tournament couldn’t have worked out much better. Gordon Tietjen’s men are currently flying high at the top of the overall log following victories at the first legs of the year in Dubai and George. Their success is built on superb defence combined with ruthless finishing.
Tietjens has described DJ Forbes, Zar Lawrence, Tomasi Cama, and Lote Raikabula as his four cornerstones and with the flying Sherwin Stowers, from Counties Manukau, carving up sides the ingredients seem to be in place for a ninth overall title.
It won’t be easy in Wellington though with the hosts being placed in the ‘Pool of Death’ along with South Africa, Wales, and Nieu. The Kiwis have usurped the Boks, the 08/09 IRB Sevens winners, as the team to beat currently. South Africa, missing a host of players to injury and unavailability, haven’t made it past a Cup Quarter-Final yet but coach Paul Treu is determined to change that in Wellington – beware the wounded Springbok.
Defending champions England stunned the ‘Cake-Tin’ last year with an incredible last minute win, coming back from 17-0 down in the final. The two met again in the last-eight in George before Christmas with the English this time throwing away a healthy lead in a seesaw battle.
Coach Ben Ryan feels they are on the cusp of something special and he has the players to spoil the Kiwis party again. England are joined in Pool C by Kenya who blew their Dubai cobwebs off with an assured performance in George, reaching the semi-finals. Kenya and England possess some of the quickest guys around and could make for an exciting spectacle when the sides meet towards the end of day 1.
Old foes Fiji have shown glimpses of their very best so far this term and are currently occupying the runner-up position. A little more consistency and a tightening up of errors should see them right in the mix with a talented and experienced squad. They meet the Aussies and Scots in Pool B and will also face Papua New Guinea, now under the stewardship of legendary Fijian maestro Waisale Serevi – interesting!
Dubai runners-up Samoa and Argentina’s Pumas will jostle each other to top Pool D. The Samoans are highly unpredictable but will relatively sharp thanks to their participation at Punta del Este and the Suva Rugby Festival in the lead up.
Argentina have surprised many pundits so far this season with their inexperienced and young side. A George semi-final gives them a huge confidence boost but do they have the belief to kick on and go up another level?
Canada, under Morgan William’s new regime and France, who have had a series to forget thus far, join the Pumas and Samoans to complete the Wellington line-up.
It wasn’t just the final of last year’s NZI Sevens that proved a rollercoaster. The whole tournament through up twists and turns aplenty with Wales beating New Zealand, USA beating Fiji, and Cook Islands beating Australia! Let’s hope for more of the same come February 5-6 2010.
2010 marks another huge year for Sevens and the Wellington Sevens couldn’t be a better platform to kick-off the fun and games. Dust off those costumes for the IRB Sevens’ most raucous party.
Tags: IRB Sevens World Series, rugby, sevens, wellington
