Canada Sevens champions South Africa and runners-up France. Photo: AFP
Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3001159/aquaman-jason-momoa-helps-vancouver-sevens-smash-it-one-top HK Sevens
Aquaman Jason Momoa helps Vancouver Sevens ‘smash it’ as one of the top events on World Rugby’s circuit
- Hollywood actor, fans and players hail the Canada tournament after an electric weekend of sevens rugby, with Hong Kong up next
Jason Momoa cheers for the All Blacks and Canadian fans with their costumes. Photos: YouTube and Canada Rugby
Vancouver’s top ranking in World Rugby’s assessment of 10 venues on the sevens circuit may have been unofficial, but the Canadian city showed over the weekend exactly why they are ticking all the boxes with the Aquaman himself stealing the show.
Hollywood actor Jason Momoa, who plays Aquaman in the movie based on the DC comic-book character, ensured that the BC Place Stadium – which was rocking anyway – turned the thrill knob right up to 11 as he ran out with his beloved All Blacks for one of their games.
The appearance of the giant Momoa, who supports the Kiwis because of his Maori lineage, sent the crowd wild – not that they needed the motivation with the atmosphere maintained at a thumping pace throughout the tournament, won by South Africa.
Momoa was full of praise for the tournament and the game of rugby, and was shouting himself hoarse during New Zealand’s thrilling victory over England in their fifth-place play-off.
“That was so epic, that was an amazing game,” Momoa said in an interview with World Rugby. “I’m super happy. I bleed All Blacks. I’m just super happy that the guys pulled it off.
“It’s the ultimate sport to me. There are no pads. Growing up in America we didn’t have it as much, I played more hockey. But then when I went down and lived in Australia and New Zealand, it [became] my favourite.
“[The atmosphere] was amazing, especially in a tournament like this.”
Former Fiji coach Ben Ryan was raving about the tournament, and full of praise for the triumphant South African side, their coach Neil Powell and runners-up France.
“Brilliant weekend. Also a really good news story for French Rugby with the men’s 7s team’s performance this weekend. A very fine coach in Jerôme Daret. France Women 7s were World Cup finalists recently too.”
World Rugby’s assessment of the HSBC World Sevens Series’ 10 tournaments was based on nine categories, including facilities and support services, with Vancouver coming out on top ahead of Singapore’s family-oriented event.
The Hong Kong Sevens, for long the standard-bearer for global sevens, was fifth. As in Hong Kong, fans travelled from all over the world to join the Vancouver party and were creative in their fancy dress.
“First time attending and relatively new to the sport,” wrote one fan. “The entire event was fantastic. Games were fast-paced and exciting, crowd was brilliant with singing, costumes and flags. One of the best live events I’ve ever been to. Will be back next year.”
Fans at the Vancouver Sevens. Photo: Canada Rugby
Another wrote: “Amazing, best value in entertainment around. 2 days of incredible sports action. 45 total games, people from all over the world came to see this. I have gone for all 3 years it’s been in Vancouver and fully intend to go for as long as it keeps coming back.”
Wales player Lloyd Evans added: “The crowd was electric, it’s one of the best in the series. A big pat on the back for the Canadian fans – they definitely brought some noise.”
The Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, from April 5-7, is the next tournament for all the teams – the seventh leg of the circuit. And while the city is still regarded as hosting the best sevens tournament in the world – unofficial rankings aside – the competition is catching up and Hong Kong organisers know they must put on a show that cranks the noise level all the way up to 12.