Fantastic party atmosphere at the Wellington Sevens
Hippies, Romans, porn stars, frogs, cowboys, pirates and naughty nurses are among the crazy characters that flooded the Westpac Stadium in Wellington for the New Zealand leg of the IRB Sevens series last weekend.
The sold out event attracts thousands each year and has become renowned for it's party atmosphere which sees most of the people who attend going there not necessarily to watch the rugby, but to have a good time.
Tickets are sold out within minutes of going on sale, and come matchday, creativity is key as supporters adorn themselves in well planned themed costumes to transform the stadium into a sea of colour and imagination.
Commentator Keith Quinn says the combination of 'Mardi Gras' atmosphere and high standard of play make the Sevens one of the year's most exciting tournaments:
"As someone who's been lucky to go to all the major sevens locations in the world, I would say that Wellington is the noisiest and the brightest."
"When we first started, each match was covered like a rugby match," says Quinn. "Now we also cover the crowd, the colour, the singing, the dancing, the costumes, and the atmosphere in the stadium. It's a lot of fun!"
The USA leg kicks off this weekend in San Diego, so if you're in the area be sure to get down to PETCO Park and join in the festivities of one of the most entertaining forms of the game.
NOTE: Thanks Sam - the song is 'Eagle Rock' by Daddy Cool, an Aussie band. I've had it in my head the whole day and I'm pretty sure you're going to be humming along to it soon too.
The sold out event attracts thousands each year and has become renowned for it's party atmosphere which sees most of the people who attend going there not necessarily to watch the rugby, but to have a good time.
Tickets are sold out within minutes of going on sale, and come matchday, creativity is key as supporters adorn themselves in well planned themed costumes to transform the stadium into a sea of colour and imagination.
Commentator Keith Quinn says the combination of 'Mardi Gras' atmosphere and high standard of play make the Sevens one of the year's most exciting tournaments:
"As someone who's been lucky to go to all the major sevens locations in the world, I would say that Wellington is the noisiest and the brightest."
"When we first started, each match was covered like a rugby match," says Quinn. "Now we also cover the crowd, the colour, the singing, the dancing, the costumes, and the atmosphere in the stadium. It's a lot of fun!"
The USA leg kicks off this weekend in San Diego, so if you're in the area be sure to get down to PETCO Park and join in the festivities of one of the most entertaining forms of the game.
NOTE: Thanks Sam - the song is 'Eagle Rock' by Daddy Cool, an Aussie band. I've had it in my head the whole day and I'm pretty sure you're going to be humming along to it soon too.
Labels: Sevens
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17 Comments:
That song is "Eagle Rock" by Daddy Cool, an Aussie band.
By Anonymous, at February 08, 2008 2:15 pm
I think my favourites there are the blokes dressed up as the Spice Girls.
I think you can tell a lot about fans by how they react to stuff like this. Cricket fans and rugby fans love it - but can you imagine this scene at a football game?
By Anonymous, at February 08, 2008 2:19 pm
tell a lot about the fans ? I'd hardly call them fans, they're all there to party ... half of them wouldn't watch any of the games that didn't involve NZ. I wish I'd gone to it when I lived there but at least people who go to a football game or a 15's rugby game go for the game.
By Anonymous, at February 08, 2008 2:57 pm
Love it... so a a guy who openly admits he never went to the Wellington 7s is telling everyone whether the crowd watch the games or not.
Clever, aren't ya?
By Anonymous, at February 08, 2008 5:00 pm
WOOOOOW
By Don, at February 08, 2008 6:18 pm
can't see anything funny about that sort of behaviour inside a rugby stadium. is it true that more than 30 persons were arrested?
By Anonymous, at February 08, 2008 6:20 pm
30 fans arrested? That's nothing..
Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA, United States has four jail cells under the stadium for locking up unruly fans.
While the cells are not currently being used, urban legend has it that they would even bring in a Magistrate (a judge who does bail hearings) on Sundays (gridiron games) so that they would process arrestees instantly.
By Anonymous, at February 08, 2008 7:04 pm
Grizz,
I think Ronan uses Yogi Berra logic...
"No one goes there any more, it's too crowded."
By Anonymous, at February 08, 2008 7:06 pm
who cares if they are their to watch the game or not.. they are their to have fun thats what life is all about. any ways that makes the game really fun and i would much rather have a hole bunch of non-fans their then a hole bunch of fans pickin fights w/ the other teams fan's.. even thou a good brawl is fun SOMETIMES.
By Anonymous, at February 08, 2008 7:46 pm
looks like fun!!! It's like the West Stand in Headingley at the end of a day of test cricket... everyone is drunk and just having a good time!
Love it when that bloke tries to nick that girl's flag at the end...
By Anonymous, at February 08, 2008 8:11 pm
LOL! <---all that needs to be said really!
By Anonymous, at February 08, 2008 8:59 pm
thats circus, not a rugby stadium. I`d prefer 10 000 real rugby fans than 50 000 clowns. but hey, thats just me...
By Anonymous, at February 08, 2008 9:20 pm
I think the difference here is that this is Sevens after all. Since it's roots at the Hong Kong Sevens it's always been known to have a party atmosphere off the field. I can't see how it can be a negative in any way.
Minstrel, I think it's better to have a few clowns having a good time than empty seats. Lighten up, it's the weekend. :)
By Anonymous, at February 08, 2008 10:39 pm
wooo hay eagle rock
that was awesome
By Anonymous, at February 08, 2008 11:44 pm
amen gmc...
its a whole freakin day of 7s, not 80mins of 15s.
i mean come on, who's attention span last's tha...
wow look at them... cor!
By boomshanka, at February 09, 2008 2:10 am
looks like fun, and yeah they are drunk as hell, but that doesnt mean they dont watch, your nuts
ps RugbyDump like the new top banner, very well done
By Anonymous, at February 09, 2008 5:12 am
Grizz Wyllie said...
"Love it... so a a guy who openly admits he never went to the Wellington 7s is telling everyone whether the crowd watch the games or not."
I know enough people in NZ and Aus who go to it yearly to know the rugby is secondary to the party. Nothing wrong with a party just I wouldn't put them down as fans.
By Anonymous, at February 15, 2008 1:38 pm
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