Good luck Hamilton, you’ll definitely need it

The New Zealand leg of the Sevens World Series is on the move but how will Hamilton be any different to Wellington?

It’s still against the law to be drunk in public. The police will still be out in force, as will the media and their pocket-sized cameras recording anyone boozed and out of control.

The news will lead with some idiot riding a wheely bin and Hamilton will simply become the new Wellington.

I hate that the Wellington Sevens went from a 70,000-strong party to a ghost town. I loved the event — I went 11 times.

I blame the likes of John Campbell, who dined out on images of young Kiwis in the ‘cool out’ room, off their faces.

But did the TV ‘news’ shows ever bother to pop in to the corporate lounges or stands where thousands were having the time of their lives?

I hosted 120 husbands and wives in one of the corporate lounges. They loved it and came back year after year.

Our guest one day was Graham Henry, who gave a great rendition of

Sweet Caroline with pinot in hand. Did the police really think they were going to catch a drunk New Zealand player when they did a spot check of the players’ lounge at last year’s event? That’s right, they went into the players’ lounge. Maybe they were autograph hunting.

I wish Hamilton all the best but I think they’ll have a giant target on their back, with the fun police already counting down the days to ruin a great weekend out.

Why are Sydney, Vancouver, Hong Kong and other cities able to put on a great Rugby Sevens party but not us? Why can they sell out their stadiums and we can’t?

When it comes to putting on sports events for all Kiwis to enjoy, we suck.