Sevens Cake Walk

EXCLUSIVE: WELLINGTON can breathe easy – the Sevens is theirs to lose.

NZRU boss Steve Tew yesterday said it would be “an incredibly long shot” for the IRB Sevens Series round to be played anywhere but in the capital.

And though the NZRU turned down a request from Wellington City Council to sign a long-term deal for the tournament when the present deal expires after next year’s event, Tew said that was simply correct procedure.

The tournament will be put up for tender. There has already been interest from Auckland.

“The IRB need to determine what they’re going to do with the series now the Olympic inclusion has been decided and we obviously don’t have control over that process,” Tew told Sunday News.

“We’ve had an approach from Wellington to extend their licence for the Sevens. We took that request very seriously because they’ve done a fantastic job.

“But on balance we thought if we do remain a part of the series then we should let other parts of New Zealand at least have a look at the possibility of putting forward a proposal.

“Having said that, Wellington have done an outstanding job. They have created a lot of what this is all about. It has just got better year after year and 2010 has been a fantastic couple of days.

“If you were a betting person you’d have to say it would be an incredibly long shot for anyone to outbid Wellington.”

If the IRB restructures the Sevens series to promote it as more of an Olympics event it could mean the timing of the New Zealand leg of the series is changed from February.

“Any talk over the future of the series is purely speculative,’’ Tew said.

“The IRB hasn’t yet got that work underway and we will be heavily consulted as a foundation member and also a core participant in the series.’’

Tew said the IRB love the tournament.

“They’re incredibly positive,” he said. “If we’re not in their top two or three tournaments then I’d be very surprised.”

- © Fairfax NZ News