Only hours remain for the New Zealand Sevens to kick off and the city of Wellington came alive earlier this afternoon when more than 40,000 people turned up to witness the traditional team parade.
Speaking from NZ, our rugby commentator Akuila Cama said Sevens fever has hit Wellington as fans from around NZ and other countries have arrived in numbers for the tournament.
Air Pacific flights are just filled with people going to the tournament as Fiji fans hope that the team can turn things around and bring victory.
NZ captain DJ Forbes said as defending champions, it will be tough for them to win the title at home and they are wary of the new look Fiji team.
He said they will closely analyze the Fijians from the first match.
New playmaker for the All Blacks Sevens team who has links to Ba and Rotuma Rocky Khan, said he is ready to run out with the black jersey at Westpac Stadium tomorrow.
However, our players are also focused.
This is the message from former Marist athlete Benito Eremasi who said they have other options now after the departure of Alipate Ratini.
Star player Ilai Tinai said it is now up to the players to step up and deliver for the fans.
Fiji is pooled with Scotland, Australia and Portugal.
England coach Ben Ryan said his team is also ready and the parade today has just motivated them.
Ryan said they will unleash their plans on the field from tomorrow.
England speedster Dan Norton said they are ready.
England is pooled with defending champion and IRB Sevens Series points leaders NZ, USA and Spain.
Kenya’s Collins Injera said they are also ready to cause upsets in the Wellington tournament.
Kenya is pooled with France, Argentina and Tonga.
Samoa’s Lolo Lui is making a comeback in this tournament and he said Wellington is like their home ground.
Samoa faces South Africa, Wales and Canada tomorrow.
South African captain Paul Delport said they have a special team and want to win the NZ Sevens title as they last won the tournament in 2002 after beating Samoa in the final.
The run-on team to take on Scotland has also been announced.
The Fiji team: Ulaiasi Lawavou, Setefano Cakau, Manueli Lagai, Joji Ragamate, Ilai Tinai, Josua Tuisova and Samisoni Viriviri.
Fiji takes on Scotland at 1.50pm, then Australia at 4.46pm and our last pool match is against Portugal at 8.34pm.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Feature
Sevens fever hits Wellington
