Some of the greatest rugby sevens players in the world are coming to Glendale in August. Arguably the greatest rugby sevens player in history was here in July to explain why.
World Rugby Hall of Famer Waisale Serevi joined Nate Stein in the Mile High Sports Radio studios on Thursday to talk about the RugbyTown 7s tournament in Glendale.
The former Fijian national team member and current Atavus All-Stars coach shared his thoughts about the growth of the rugby in the United States and how he sees the tournament growing in it’s sixth year.
“When we started the partnership with RugbyTown 7s and the city of Glendale and Infinity Park we came out here and loved the facility. I believe it’s the best facility for rugby in the United States. It’s closer, there are ice baths, a gym, a clubhouse on top. You don’t have to travel five hours to get to a clubhouse,” Serevi explained. “Everything is perfect and we have a good relationship with Infinity Park and the City of Glendale and the Serevi RugbyTown 7s. We support it because this is the reason why I am in the USA: To try and grow the sport of rugby, to give back to it.”
When asked about how big the tournament could get, Serevi was very positive about its potential.
“I believe [that RugbyTown 7s can be a world-class tournament]. Nothing is impossible. They have the facilities. It is just about marketing the tournament. The Hong Kong 7s started with just club teams back in 1976 or 1977, and now 20 or 30 years later it is the biggest sevens tournament in the world. With RugbyTown 7s, after just five years we are inviting the Viti Barbarians with players who played in the Olympics. That is a huge step. It is good for the tournament, it is good for sponsors, it is good for other teams around the world that see the Viti Barbarians playing in the RugbyTown 7s,” Serevi said. “I believe every big thing starts with a small thing. The Hong Kong 7s started small and now it is the biggest sevens tournament in the world. That is the reason the Rugby 7s World Series started, that is the reason rugby sevens moved back towards the Olympics. Now, the way we are moving step by step I think we are in the right direction for the RugbyTown 7s to be one of the top sevens tournament in the world.”
The RugbyTown 7s tournament is back at Infinity Park in Glendale from August 25-27. Tickets start at just $10 for adults.
Listen to the full interview with Serevi, including his thoughts on the international talent in the tournament this year, in the podcast below.
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