-
The New Zealand Sevens team at the parade in Wellington - Source: ONE News -
Watch Video
-
Related
One of the crown jewels of Wellington City was returned to the
people today as the annual Sevens parade brought the town
centre to a standstill.
Thousands of workers and school children lined the parade route
which goes up Lambton Quay and ended with a welcome at Civic Square
for all 16 nations competing at the 13th annual tournament.
And while all the noise and colour of the lunchtime festivities
brought a smile to nearly everyone's faces, it was in stark
contrast to the aggressive standoff between police and Occupy
Wellington protesters, who were evicted from the public space
earlier this week.
"I think it's great," Wellington City Council worker Tim Crooks
said when asked if he was happy to see the back of the
protesters.
"The square was always designed as a public space for the people
and with the Sevens now in its 13th year, it's great to see so many
people turn out to Civic Square."
From far and wide
During the parade, teams rode on individual floats themed from
their home country and were led by teams of
cheerleaders.
Fans came from far and wide to greet the teams including a group of
young Americans who were already kitted out in superhero costumes
ahead of tomorrow's opening day.
Evan Sandrow, 21, and his five friends from Portland Oregon, were
traveling in the South Island when they heard about the Sevens and
decided to attend.
"Rugby is so big here so everyone is taking about the Sevens and
said we have to come, " Sandrow said.
USA Eagle flyer and former NFL player Miles Craigwell admitted he
was surprised to hear there were a group of Americans in
Wellington.
"That's pretty impressive and pretty cool but what are they doing
here," Craigwell asked.
It was fair enough question when you consider Craigwell only picked
up rugby ball for the first time less than two years ago and now
with another year of Sevens under his belt, he is promising a
better showing after playing his first Wellington
tournament a year ago.
"It's great to be back, Wellington is an amazing place and I'm
really looking forward to this weekend," he said. "I have
sharpened up my skills a little and really want a good
performance."
For some fans the result on the field is of little interest. Nicole
Vessey, 20, who works in a central Wellington retail store, says
the Sevens is her favourite time of the year.
"Anything that brings hot rugby players into town has to be a good
thing," she said.
The tournament's first pool match kicks off at 1.00pm tomorrow.
All 25,000 tickets to the annual rugby party sold out within minutes of going on sale last October.
Wellington Sevens live on TV One and live-streamed on tvnz.co.nz on Friday and Saturday. Plus catch up OnDemand
New Zealand's first match is against Scotland on Friday.
Sunny skies
Fine weather is on its way for most over the Waitangi weekend, and it is looking particularly good for fans attending the Sevens in Wellington.
MetService said weather should be fine with some cloud on Friday and sunny skies on Saturday in Wellington.
It said temperatures should reach the low twenties late afternoon, dipping into the high teens by the end of the festivities.
Westerlies over the rest of the country are expected to die out today, and an anticyclone is likely to dominate the weather from Friday to Monday.
For most places, this will mean mild to warm conditions and fairly light winds.
"Weather-wise, this summer has been quite up and down in many places, so it will be a nice coincidence to have a fine spell occurring over a long weekend, " MetService Media and Communications Meteorologist Daniel Corbett said.
Find your long weekend forecast here.
Latest NZ News Video
-
The changing face of farming (1:49)
-
ONE Weather 6pm update: 26 May (4:56)
-
Shortage of vets in New Zealand (1:59)
