A vast expanse of yellow seats is nothing new for the Wellington Sevens. The only difference is, this time those empty seats haven't been sold.
It used to be that young partiers would snap tickets up within minutes of release and buy elaborate costumes. They’d then spend most of the first day in local bars and all but the last two hours of the second socialising in the concourse around the stadium.
This time around, the same number of people will sit in the stands for most of the tournament, and the same number of empty seats will be seen as when it was sold out.
Now, the concourse and bars will be empty too. With Auckland’s NRL Nines now taking the party animal punters, the Sevens caters for dedicated sports fans and families.
The Sevens was an alcohol-fuelled party, masquerading as a sports event. While it was a financial success, it was sad that the players slugging their guts out were a sideshow.
It was almost impossible to watch games because of all the distractions. I like a drink and a laugh but I’d head home from “New Zealand’s Biggest Party” disappointed that I barely watched any sport.
Even if half the seats are unsold in 2016, to me it’s twice the event. I like that there’ll be fewer muscle-bound morons dressed as Thor, just going for a chance to show off their arms.
I like that Sevens fans will be able to purchase tickets, instead of missing out online to a group of Tarzans or sexy nurses, who couldn’t name a single player.
How ironic that the year they’ve left en-masse is the same one Sonny Bill Williams arrived, a player they’d actually pay attention to.
In saying that, it is very sad that a lack of ticket sales could affect the future of this tournament.
Sevens rugby is becoming more competitive and skillful than ever -- teams like the United States can post regular victories against New Zealand. The cliche that anyone can win on their day is becoming more true with each tournament.
That’s why New Zealand needs to figure out a way to sell more tickets. The spiritual home of rugby should not be allowed to lose its Sevens tournament when its contract ends in 2019, as it’s just starting to get good.
So how do we solve this? Well, that’s complicated.
Firstly, it needs to leave Wellington. The city has either grown tired or complacent with its flagship sporting event. Whatever it is, it’s not working and needs to be abandoned.
Wellingtonians don’t attend the Cake Tin unless the All Blacks are playing. The Phoenix and Lions would leave the stadium, if only they had a better option.
You could say, “Send it to the biggest city!”
The problem is, Auckland already has the Nines and its people are notoriously bad at attending sports events long-term. The sprawling Supercity won’t take ownership and pride in it, so should be left out.
To me, there is only one solution -- but it’s difficult logistically.
Each year the sevens needs to be taken to a different provincial centre. Take it to Dunedin one year, New Plymouth the next.
After that head to Christchurch, Hamilton, the Mount, or Invercargill. Each year that city will get excited and embrace it because they won’t know when it will return. Yes, they’ll party -- and plenty of boofheads will drink too much -- but maybe they’ll take time to appreciate the spectacle in front of them.
With it leaving the following year they might enjoy every last moment, instead of pre-loading in bars because they know there’ll be a another chance.
That idea won’t be easy to organise. The committees and broadcasters will have to come up with new plans each year for each town and stadium. This is no small event.
Currently every team (192 players plus support staff) stays in the same hotel, which helps preparations go smoothly. The city also needs to be able to sleep countless individuals who help run the event, as well as visitors.
16 teams need decent quality practice grounds for a week and gym facilities. Would there be enough vehicles to transport teams and organisers?
Hundreds of volunteers make it run smoothly. There are security guards, police, ambulances, entertainers and heaven knows how many others are required to make a tournament work.
Do smaller towns have those resources on hand? Would World Rugby be happy in a smaller town?
So many questions, so few concrete answers on how to fix the Wellington Sevens. All that is for sure is something needs to change for it to survive in New Zealand.
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