I’m a passionate Wellingtonian.  I’m an ardent rugby fan.  And I like to party – albeit less hedonistically than in my 20s and 30s.

But I won’t shed a tear if the Capital loses the hosting rights to the NZI Sevens to Auckland.

Why? Because we’ve lost the plot, and forgotten what the event is really all about.  Or maybe it’s just collective greed . . . we’re all making money so it has to be good, huh?

Mayor Kerry Prendergast surprised no-one this week when she claimed we hosted “the best Sevens event in the world”.  

Really?  I know the Mayor appreciates international travel but I wonder if she has attended any of the other events on the IRB circuit.

I’ve been to the Hong Kong event seven times, and to the Wellington one five or six.  And I’ve partied hard at most of them. So, I reckon I’m entitled to rant, even if my opinions go down like a cold stadium meat pie.

My issue with the Wellington Sevens is it’s much more about partying (let’s be honest, getting pissed) than appreciating the world-class rugby skills on display.  We could cancel all international team invites, get local colleges to field teams, and the party would rock on with few in the crowd noticing the difference.

The balance between enjoying the spectacle and the crowd going wild has been lost, and that’s a tragic shame.

Is there a solution?  Probably not – because all the evidence points to New Zealanders falling out of love with rugby and increasingly embracing our binge booze culture.

Sure, the Hong Kong event is also one huge three-day party – anywhere that sells jugs of Vodka Red Bull is going to go off.  We may outdo them when it comes to dressing up but Hong Kong still hosts the best Sevens event because:

Rugby still rules – every sleight of hand, cunning side-step and crunching tackle is still appreciated by large sections of the crowd.

• The So Kon Po crowd is a melting pot of local Chinese and ex-pats – with almost every team having a passionate group of compatriots cheering them on.  After New Zealand failed to make this year’s Wellington final there were numerous empty yellow seats while the thrilling final was played out. Shame, parochialism reigns.
• Seating in the upper tier of both main stands in Hong Kong is alcohol free meaning the event can be enjoyed by families – try taking your kids to the Wellington Sevens and then having a conversation about responsible drinking behaviour.
• Your ticket provides general admission into the stadium, enabling larger groups of friends to sit together.  I know this may be a challenge because of season ticket holders – but, frankly, who cares? Rewrite the terms.
• The HK caterers show you can feed a crowd of 40,000 and still make the fare palatable.

Final score: Hong Kong 5, New Zealand 1