Sevens delivers sizzling weekend of fun Auckland Anniversary Weekend locked in for 2019
- Organisers thrilled with new home in Hamilton
- Capacity crowd cheers on Fiji to take the crown
Sevens in Hamilton will be back on 26 and 27 January 2019.
The announcement came after a triumphant Fijian side lifted the HSBC NZ Sevens trophy in victory, winning 24-17 against South Africa at FMG Stadium Waikato tonight.
HSBC NZ Sevens General Manager Steve Dunbar said confirmation of the dates was the icing on the cake after a fun-filled two-day tournament with capacity crowds loving the fast-paced rugby action and new-look tournament.
“It’s been a fantastic couple of days here in Hamilton and all the hundreds of volunteers and staff who worked together to put on this spectacle of rugby and entertainment can be very proud.
“Over 20,000 people have had a magic couple of days with their friends and family and there’s clearly an appetite for an international sevens tournament in New Zealand.
“We will be back.”
37 South Managing Director and co-promoter Dallas Fisher said he was proud of his home city for hosting an incredible event for New Zealand.
“We’ve always known we could hold global events like this here, and this weekend we’ve proven it. A full stadium chanting, dancing and singing is something I’ll never forget. The fact we get to do it all again next year tops it all off.
Waikato police again praised the good-natured crowd on Day Two of the event and said Saturday night in town had also been fairly trouble free following Day One.
Detective Inspector Hywel Jones said there had been four arrests and seven evictions on Sunday.
“It’s been a very well-run event from our point of view and we’re very pleased with the crowd.”
Dunbar said the tournament was a mix of classic Sevens with colourful costumes and dancing in the aisles, and added new flavours with an entertainment zone and family fun fair.
“The fans and teams have loved it and the planning starts now for Auckland Anniversary Weekend in 2019,” Dunbar said.
On-sale dates for tickets for 2019 will be released on sevens.co.nz in due course.
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