Last-gasp Sevens loss doesn't dampen spirits (+pics)

CRAIG SIMCOX/The Dominion Post

MISSING LINK: At Wellington's biggest costume party, it's not the cavemen who look out of place.

CRAIG SIMCOX/The Dominion Post

My No 1: Let's hope that took his blues away

CRAIG SIMCOX/The Dominion Post

SINKING A FEW: Seeing the New Zealand team going down to England took the smiles off a few faces.

CRAIG SIMCOX/The Dominion Post

Rest those legs: Members of the Empress Stiltdance Company take time out before strutting their stuff on the field.

CRAIG SIMCOX/The Dominion Post

SINKING A FEW: Seeing the New Zealand team going down to England took the smiles off a few faces.

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New Zealand's nailbiting defeat by England did little to crush the spirits of the 35,000 sevens fans, many of whom headed to Courtenay Place to console themselves in a tidal wave of colour and spectacle.

Some of the costumes looked a little worse for wear by day two of the tournament on Saturday, but the crowd buzzed with energy throughout finals day.

As Einstein, Frankenstein's monster and a transgendered Pammy Lee conversed over some cold ones, a half-dressed Carebear sauntered past, his wild hair and glazed eyes suggesting he may not have got home the night before.

Rugby fans were optimistic after New Zealand's 10-7 win over Argentina in the semifinals, but a big night was on the cards whatever the outcome.

"Convict clown" David Burrows had partied hard all weekend and had no plans to let Saturday night go to waste. "There's two things that can happen either New Zealand wins and we'll all be out celebrating, or New Zealand will lose ... and everyone will be out celebrating anyway," he said before the cup final.

England won the final 19-17 with a converted try on the final hooter.

Eleven people were arrested on Saturday, and 46 were evicted.

Inspector Simon Perry, police operations commander, said the arrests were for minor disorder offences and did not detract from the overall crowd behaviour.

"We were extremely pleased with the way things went and the response we had from the crowd, people in the stands and corporate boxes," he said.

There were 26 arrests at the stadium over the two days and 133 evictions from the stadium. A further 49 people were arrested between 10pm on Saturday and 8am yesterday, 17 more than last year.

Wellington Hospital accident and emergency consultant Marjorie van der Pyl said staff were pleasantly surprised they were not inundated with drunks.

"Usually our corridor is full with drunks on Saturday night. I do not know where they went but they did not come here. Maybe the Brits got drunk and the Kiwis got fed up and just went home."

- © Fairfax NZ News