IRB Sevens- San Diego has rugby and romance

In the coastal city of San Diego the 7s have fallen on Valentines Day. What could be more romantic than a day at the footy, add in a mix of burgers, fries, drinks & rugby and everyone should be happy.

In the home stadium of Petco Park, rugby is the flavour for the next 2 days and the local & vocal crowd are embracing the new game. Out in numbers are men and woman to cheer on their team the USA Eagles, as well as appreciating the sun and multiple side steps on show.

The stadium is a 4-tier super size me venue, where ever you are is a supreme aerial view of the action and the games are heating up like the California sunshine on day 1. The boys from Oceania have all started in winning fashion. Fiji had Wales first up, the Welsh dumped Fiji twice last week in Wellington, but today the Island men ran riot and won well 35-14. Samoa had Uale Mai back and the team just has a different presence about it. Moves are controlled, no one is rushing and they just do what they do well and run like beasts. Mai is a severe danger man, but even without the ball his mates play above themselves and they will be looking to wipe last weeks sour taste with a commanding time here.

New Zealand had a real tussle with France; the NZ team has lost a lot of muscle with DJ Forbes out and the French real put heat on in the contesting ruck area. The Kiwi’s looked a tad rattled and not so sure in the body blows and the game was in the balance. In the 2nd half NZ reverted to a smarter man beats ball approach and this saw them through. Their team is not so big, but they are fleet footed and destined to get paste a lot of tackles.

Last up in round one was the men from down under, the Aussies were way too strong for the Canadians and are looking like a squad that can win again. Their blend is both big up front and fast out wide and their first outing was very impressive. Round 2 teams are stretching and the atmosphere is humming for a huge day of rugby.