Whilst the NZ leg of the IRB Sevens World Series in Wellington is taking pole position, USA Sevens is readying itself to host the fourth leg of the circuit in Las Vegas for the first time on February 13-14.
With 16 top nations continuing to look for circuit points in the famous city of Las Vegas, the move to the most entertaining city in the world also brings with it the premier social rugby tournament in America; now billed as the Las Vegas Invitational; and a chance to become one of the most exhilarating legs on the IRB tour.
With the movement in Sevens continually heading upwards following the Olympic decision, the Las Vegas Sevens will break new boundaries beginning with this year’s LVI, replacing the previous San Diego Invitational for obvious reasons.
Tournament Director John Hinkin Highlighted the size of the growth of the SDI in past years thus creating a perfect platform for the LVI to take over the mantle at the Sam Boyd Stadium centre at the weekend. When the USA Sevens moved to San Diego in 2007 I was approached to come up with an event (SDI). With small amount of time we ended up with an eight-team Men’s 7s tournament and a six-team Women’s said Hinkin.
The next year we grew to 64 teams, and last year we had over 100 teams and 140 matches. This year we have added the CCS and with the move to Las Vegas we have noticed an uptick in International Club teams wanting to get involved.’
Along with all the same divisions as years past we added the Elite 7′s Division with teams from Fiji, England, Australia, France, Canada, Mexico and as well as all over the United Sates.
We will have 14 full fields with even more teams this year’s Inaugural CCS adding to the party. This will be the first year that the CCS will be incorporated into the schedule and it will be a fantastic addition for the spectators.
Although the last teams qualified back in November and the finals fall outside of the USA’s Sevens season, the eagerly anticipated competition will mark not only the rise of the USA leg on the IRB circuit, but also an enthralling Crescendo to what was a very successful USA Sevens home season.
Not only is the CCS going to play a big role in this year’s LVI, the International Invitational is also getting bigger, with more teams seeing this as a premier event they want to be a part of again marking the potential the Las Vegas Sevens has to compete with the best legs on the circuit.
Massive opportunity for Sevens in Vegas
Not only is the Sevens set up beginning to look a lot like that of Dubai with many many teams participating in numerous different competitions, with both men, women and collegiate teams taking to the fields, there is a view to rival the 11 divisions at Dubai next year in Las Vegas. But where else on the World Series can we say the après rugby shenanigans match that of those on the pitch?
HK is infamous for its social side of course, but Las Vegas has the opportunity to mix it with the best, offering casinos and clubs to keep fans and players alike amused. Billed as the entertainment capital of the world, where else could players expect to have an opening party at the Hooters Hotel, where many of the teams will also be staying, and a closing party at the Hard Rock Cafe.
Las Vegas is a very interesting place, overall we have had a big interest gained worldwide. That has a bunch to do with Vegas being Vegas added Hinkin. But it is now time for the chatting to stop and for the Mecca of boxing to take the mantle and embrace the world that is Rugby Sevens’ but it is an opportunity that USA Sevens will be grabbing with both hands.
