From afar, the Wellington sevens tournament looked like another raging success, not necessarily for the New Zealand team which was convincingly beaten by Samoa in the semis, but definitely for the sevens version of rugby, for the Fijian team, for the capital, and for the fans.
The games were fast and exciting and some of the spectators also seemed of the same disposition.
Although hosting rights for the New Zealand leg of the sevens circuit is coming up for tender, Tietjens, Tew and IRB organiser Beth Coalter have all suggested Wellington continues to impress with regards to facilities, accessibility, event management and a fun atmosphere.
If rumours that Auckland and Dunedin are keen to put their names in the tender hat are true, they are going to have to provide something above and beyond the spectacle that thousands enjoy every year in the Cake Tin.
I have fond memories of marching from the Octagon to the House of Pain in order to watch a game of footie, but in reality I can't imagine being enthusiastic about that journey now.
Sorry, but I'm getting too old for cold weather (and some may say for skimpy outfits!) At the other end of New Zealand, it doesn't look like Auckland can get its act together for the Rugby World Cup (RWC), let alone host a sevens tournament.
Transport planners are worried that the infrastructure won't be able to cope with the influx of visitors, stakeholders are arguing over who should foot the Eden Park $40 million shortfall, and the school year is being adjusted to ease pressure on traffic flows and public transport, mostly in Auckland (too bad if students throughout New Zealand fail NCEA exams as a result).
People were worried that Athens would not be ready for the 2004 Olympics and South Africa would not be able to cope with the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Athens managed to get itself sorted just as the starter guns were being cocked, and the public relations people are convincing us that everything will be fine in the rainbow nation for one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
Maybe the RWC organisers and Auckland City Council need to employ more spin doctors, because there seems to be a lot of doubt about.
Is that doubt indicative of the lack of progress and infrastructure in Auckland or evidence of tall poppy syndrome and anti-Auckland sentiment setting in? Where is the warm fuzzy news regarding Auckland's preparations for 2011?
As a nation why are we not demonstrating a united front when it comes to hosting this event?
I suggest there is a lot of negativity in the air because people are tiring of rugby's overbearing presence in the media and in our lives and Auckland's "greater than thou" attitude to the rest of New Zealand.
In response, I believe the motto "if it ain't broke don't fix it" should apply to the sevens. Leave it in Wellington.
They're doing a great job (and it's only two hours away from where I live!).
However, the motto "she'll be right mate" might not be enough to see Eden Park's bill and Auckland's traffic woes sorted.
It's moments like these I'm glad I don't live north of the Bombay Hills and I'll be cheering them on as 2011 fast approaches from my provincial paradise.
I suggest you all do the same and let's cross our fingers that we don't have to go dutch on the bill when it's all over, especially if Aucklanders end up gorging themselves on the RWC spin-offs.
