Heat on for Tens tourney to play it cool

Year one of the Brisbane Global Tens wasn’t a roaring success. Year two represents something of a fresh start.

Last year the New Zealand buildup was overshadowed by controversy. The use of Damian McKenzie, Jerome Kaino and Israel Dagg in marketing campaigns, despite the high-profile trio not featuring on the field, did not help early perceptions.

Come kickoff, a 40 degree heatwave hit Brisbane, making conditions extremely challenging and half of Suncorp Stadium intolerable for fans to sit in. No wonder the event is thought to have lost money.

The second instalment of the fouryear contract has been smoother.

Organisers met early with New Zealand Rugby and the Super franchises to establish who would be available. Julian Savea and Liam Messam, two figures signed to promote this year’s event, will play influential on-field roles for the of the big names when he took the field but he went on to have a pretty stellar 2017.”

Although crowds last year appeared dire, Carroll said around 23,000 attended each day. This year was tracking to pull similar numbers with a shift to day-night which should minimise the toll taken by the conditions.

“We won’t have that issue this year so it will have a much fuller feel on camera.”

The Chiefs won the inaugural event after being inspired to pay tribute to former All Blacks loose forward Sione Lauaki, who lost his battle with a kidney disease aged 35.

On paper, Colin Cooper has named another strong squad.

North harbour wing Shaun Stevenson starred here last year and is sure to again thrive with the extra time and space.

The Blues appear to have an easy pool and could do with some earlyseason momentum.