Editorial: Sun plus sevens adds up to sizzler

Kim Gillespie

The countdown is over.

Rotorua this weekend hosts the Bayleys National Sevens tournament at the International Stadium.

With fine weather forecast and thousands of people expected it's looking to be a cracker couple of days.

Sevens is a sport you will hear more and more about over the next few years as the code gears up for the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Yes, rugby at the Olympics - and not for the first time.*

New Zealand is often ridiculed for favouring the oval ball over the round but, hey, it makes sense to like what you're good at, and we won't be winning any soccer World Cups any time soon.

So there should be a good, enthusiastic crowd cheering on their provinces this weekend.

Sevens is great entertainment, and with the country's best exponents in action, there will be a great variety of skills and talent on display.

Here's hoping the Bay of Plenty men and women in blue and gold can do us proud and see off allcomers to lift the silverware.

In return we'll be doing our utmost to support and encourage them from the stands, terraces, banks and sidelines - many of us marvelling in wonder at those displaying so much energy when the rest of us are still full of Christmas-related lethargy.

Here's to a successful event, and c'mon the Bay!

*The United States is the most successful nation to have played rugby union at the Olympics, having won gold medals in 1920 and 1924. Rugby was last played as an Olympic sport in 1924.