Dubai Rugby Sevens!!

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the Dubai Rugby Sevens. For those who don't know, rugby (New Zealand's national game) is usually played with 15 players on each team, but sevens rugby has... seven players per side. Also, the game only lasts 14 minutes (seven minutes per half). It's a high pace, exciting game to watch. The Dubai Sevens is a big international competition (16 countries), and it was my first time going along to ANY sevens competition. Can I just say right now, it was GREAT!!

I went with Dad and his regular sevens buddy, Andrew. We got there at about 9am or so. Pretty early, eh? Serious fans here! haha.

When we got there, there weren't many people yet, so we pretty much chose exactly where we wanted to sit (in the shade). We got some coffees to start with, and had a great time watching game after game of fast-pace rugby. It was really fun, and it got even more fun at lunchtime, when it seemed an acceptable time to start drinking beer! haha. The competition seemed to be sponsored by Heineken, so that was all that was on sale there. Rugby is so much more fun to watch with a beer in hand!

It wasn't long before the stands started to really fill up. There were all sorts of fans there. Some were dressed up in costume, some draped in their national flag. Others appeared to be there purely to sunbathe! Others were there for the music. It was a great crowd, and very fun to be a part of.
Before I knew it, the sun was setting!! We had started the day in the shade, but as the sun moved across the sky we soon found ourselves in the sun, and the sunset was a welcome relief. As the sun went down, the mood of the crowd went from "sports" to "party". It was good fun singing and grooving along to the music in the pre-finals break.

Sadly, as far as the actual rugby went, New Zealand lost both games, which was GUTTING!!! and Wales lost its second game, so Dad and I were both disappointed, but Andrew (English) was very satisfied with England winning the entire competition ;)

General party-like atmosphere during the final minute or so of the half time break in the final (France vs England)