I partly agree. I like the fact that the wellington crowd is unique to the world circuit, but at the same time... who really cares about Kenya vs. Canada? If people are going to sit around for hours waiting for NZ, SA, or England to play then you cant blame them... the Olympics would be a bit different. I think you would be far more likely to see kiwis dressed in black in Rio than you would here in Welly. Its not wellington so there wouldnt be a dress up.

That's ther thing, that irkes me.

Its the falseness of it all, paying good looking chicks to go to the game to make the event look hot and happening. Thankfully Greg has been the only Journo to admit this.

Its viral marketing to the extreme, IMHO.

Here's an idea: let's move the 7s to the middle of winter, play it all in the evenings so the international audience get to watch it and then Mr Ford can write an article about why the stadium is only half full and dressed up in coats. Better yet just move it to Auckland! The 7s is one of the last sporting events which hasn't gone the way of corporate professionalism and is a great weekend for everyone (players, fans, beer companies, the city alike) concerned, bring on the Frankensteins and Fred Flinstones. Wellington you do this country and the sport proud!!

Have many of the players not said this is one of their favourite tournaments? Cant be bothered finding any quotes but sure I read that before the weekend. The atmosphere was great in the stadium as was the buzz round town. Sure there are a massive amount of attention seekers and folk that go just to "be seen" but just let them get on with it and have fun.

Who cares if one weekend in one tour (that is suppose to be a more relaxed game than the actual version anyway) has a party out of it.

AT davidt #24 - a lottery? are you kidding? just a fluke that the same teams keep winning then is it?

why would you even comment? you obviously have no idea what your on about.

I agree in part. Though I think your article is mis-leading.

Sport is sport and always will be. But, a sporting event is sometimes not a sporting event. Rugby Sevens is a sport and always will be….. but The Wellington Rugby Sevens event is no longer about the sport of rugby.

This can also be said about One Day International cricket which, particularly in Australia, has broken down into an alcohol fuelled binge drinking mess by the crowd.

Here in New Zealand the Wellington Sevens is an extreme example where the sport itself is NOT the reason why people pay big bucks to go to a sporting event and NOT watch it.

Firstly, Scalpers buy up as many tickets as they can, with no interest in going to the event. These tickets appear on TradeMe within minutes of going on sale at inflated prices.

Secondly, it could easily be said that a good 70% of the people that went to the Sevens had little, if any, interest in the rugby. People turn up to the gates, already well lubricated with alcohol. At Wellington Railway Station Friday afternoon, many were already staggering to the Can Tin, obviously already plastered. I saw many stuffing Hip Flasks, wine bottles and beer bottles into their costumes. Wellington Hospital’s A&E department turns into a Dry Out Tank and its highly trained staff turn into baby-sitters attending a constant stream of drunks ferried in by Ambulances.

Of course Auckland and Hamilton with try and take the Sevens from Wellington. They are mad not to try. The Sevens is a massive cash cow for any city that has it. But it is not a sporting event. Media advertising doesn’t not even promote it as a sporting event, emphasizing the ‘party’ rather than the rugby.

I do agree to what you are saying, but it’s not the sport, it’s the sporting event.

I wonder how many tickets would sell if they completely banned the costumes, and it was just the rugby ???????

Look here Greg - The streaker in the Scotland game had perfect timing and may have hit the gap nicely thereby providing the team with some attacking penetration (not sure about my choice of word there...) that the team is lacking. Good on him I say.

As for the 7's - boo hoo to you. Sure the booze companies are there to make money. Sure many of the spectators don't go primarily for the rugby. Sure 7's shouldn't be at the Olympics. But come on - the atmosphere at the stadium is great as a spectator and I expect as a player. Go suck a lemon.

#20 Jonathan. You hit the Nail right on the head!

I lived in Ireland for 4 years and became a huge fan of their domestic sport, Hurling. Still amateur.

The passion shown by those players, and even the spectators, made me love sports all over again.

Professionalism kills sports...end of story.

Having been to the 7's 3 times now I'm really not sure you have been to the same event, even with 2 days of full on fun, the stadium is always full by the time the finals start at the end of the last day, the atmosphere in the stadium at this point rivals any major sporting event anywhere in the world. If they weren't there for the rugby they would have long departed before the finals to make sure they can get into the bar of choice in Courtney Place. Sport needs crowds with volume and character, trust me I've been to a few events without either...Caaaannnnnttteeerrrrrbbbuuurryyyyyyy! zzzzzzzzzzzz