Did Rotorua successfully host the national sevens tournament for the first time this year?
As a television viewer it did not seem to have the same festival atmosphere of Queenstown but perhaps that will change when the word gets out that it is a great occasion with great talents on display.
The tendency for television cameras to focus on the near-empty covered stand rather than the crowded and sunny banks also gives the illusion of few spectators.
According to the Rotorua Daily Post there were ''thousands'' enjoying the action and atmosphere both on and off the pitch but this was tempered by describing crowd numbers as ''OK'' and ''solid . . . without being spectacular''.
It probably did not' help that the sevens tournament clashed with a major touch tournament in Whakatane involving 1500 players including Tana Umaga and Benji Marshall to attract the crowds. The powers that be in the bay may need to negotiate with these two codes because sevens and touch would attract a similar demographic.
Nonetheless, the kids' zone would have made the event family friendly and the weather looked superb over the two days. The spreading of games over two fields was probably inconvenient for fans following their favourite players and teams, but in terms of allowing more women's games to be ''seen'' it was excellent. In Queenstown, the number of women's teams attending had to be capped because of the limited fields and associated costs, and most of the women's games took place away from the main venue.
This year, television audiences and live crowds who may have intended to watch the men's games only were exposed to some top-notch women's rugby as well. From the spirited performances of Southland and Taranaki, to the powerhouse performances of teams such as Manawatu, Auckland and Waikato - there was a lot of talent, potential, power, skill and finesse on display in the women's game.
The surprise team was Counties Manukau who had very few big names but appeared to be a well-drilled team with strategies and tactics that took many by surprise.
Each team had at least two players who put their hand up to be considered for the national training squad which will include 17 contracted players. Whether it is the promise of a contract, a trip to the Olympics, or the opportunity to play for your country, that motivated them, the level of skill, fitness and tactical knowledge since last year has increased tenfold.
Praise must be given to national coach Sean Horan and his wider management and training team for their diligent and broad approach to women's sevens. They are developing promising players at the provincial level, demanding high expectations from provincial coaches and unions, seeking high standards from their players, and making everyone, irrespective of their name, age, or experience in the game feel they have a chance to make it into the national squad.
As a result, players from other codes are eagerly jumping ship, and stalwarts in the 15s game have decided the sevens path is more suited to them . . . and they might be right. Many of the players who have played 15s rugby for years are looking leaner and fitter and more focused than before.
This is not only positive for sevens but for 15s as well as they will need to play something over the winter months to keep fit.
Although there are players out there with raw talent (predominantly speed and power), they still need to work on their rugby skills like fending, diving for tries in the corner, knowing how to mow someone down from behind, knowing when to pass, and understanding how to deal with contact in the many forms it takes in rugby. That will come with experience, but it is still exciting to see a mixture of talents on show.
Star Manawatu player Selica Winiata's deft touches on the ball with her foot to keep it in play in the final try of the final game was pure poetry. Taranaki's Michaela Blyde showed how speedy she can be several times during the tournament, and Kayla McAlister's powerful breaks and runaway tries confirm why she was named IRB sevens player of the year.
If Rotorua and the players continue to lift their performance each year, the national sevens tournament will become a ''must-do'' summer event.
Aspiring to be better each year will also ensure that the place of women in sevens is centre stage as they deserve.
