Wellington sevens

Wellington Sevens moving to Hamilton

The Wellington Sevens has been part of the HSBC World Rugby Seven Series since 2000 and was one of the most popular events on the New Zealand sporting calendar.

However, in recent years the event has struggled to attract the large crowds it was renowned for at the height of its popularity.

In 2016, New Zealand Rugby recorded its first financial loss from the Wellington Sevens and the writing appeared on the wall for a move.

The All Black Sevens won nine times in Wellington - the team's spiritual home - enjoying victory most recently in 2016.

Fiji names 7s team for Wellington and Sydney

Mesulame Kunavula and Nacanieli Labalaba will make their debut, while Kalioni Nasoko, Amenoni Nasilasila and Alivereti Veitokani make a return to the side.

Jasa Veremalua, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Setareki Bituniyata, Nemani Nagusa, Jerry Tuwai, Osea Kolinisau, Samisoni Viriviri and Joeli Lutumailagi have been retained from the last leg.

Vatemo Ravouvou who missed out on the first leg of the tournament has also been named in the team.

All Black Sevens have to be at their best by Wellington

The All Blacks Sevens have improved to fifth in the overall standings after their third place finish in the second round in Cape Town.

The New Zealanders beat Kenya 28-7 in the quarter-finals, but lost 14-7 to South Africa in the semi-finals.

They then beat Scotland 24-19 in the play-off for third.

It’s an improved performance by the New Zealanders after they finished 8th in the opening leg in Dubai.

England beat South Africa 19-17 in the final.

Waldrom is happy with the improvement his side showed from the first round.

Draw made for Wellington Sevens

The draw for the next stop on the series was made at the end of the HSBC Cape Town Sevens, which was won by England after a dramatic final against South Africa. 

Cape Town winners England are drawn in Pool A with Kenya, Argentina and invitational team Papua New Guinea. 

Dubai winners South Africa, who were narrowly beaten by England in Cape Town, are in a very tough Pool B, where they will face Olympic champions Fiji, Australia and Japan.  

Tew: Sevens to stay in Wellington

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew has admitted ticket sales are still disappointing.

But in an interview with Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking, Tew indicated that NZR has given no consideration to moving the tournament out of the capital.

The world had moved on from the days when the sevens stadium involved a boozy party atmosphere, Tew said.

"We are now responsible for the behaviour of people...the stadium licence holder has serious legal responsibilities under new legislation that came in a couple of years ago," he said.

Fiji impress, Samoa struggle at Wellington 7s

However Samoa failed to qualify for the Cup quarter finals despite leading at some point in all of their pool matches.

Ben Ryan watched his side extend their unbeaten run in pool play to 39 games with convincing wins against Japan, 45-7, Wales 33-7 and Argentina 31-10.

Size key for under done All Blacks Sevens

The New Zealanders have been decimated by injuries in the first two rounds and stand seventh on the table.

Sir Gordon Tietjen's men will defend their Wellington title with a mixture of players that include a number of fifteens' stars, such as Sonny Bill Williams and Ardie Savea, hoping to crack the squad for the Rio Olympics.

'Wowsers' have ruined the Wellington Sevens

An event that used to be sold out in as little as half an hour is now struggling sell tickets.

The obvious question is why have the ticket sales slumped?

The wowsers have ruined things for the majority and the organisers have strangled the event so tight that it is struggling to breathe and may end up being killed off.

Watch the Wellington Sevens live only on Digicel Play

That’s the word from Digicel Tonga.

 

The action will only be screened live here in Tonga on Digicel Play, Digicel’s Marc Santos said.