Above: The superheroes are happy as local star Victor Vito crosses for the winning try at the death against Samoa in 2008. Photo by Dave Lintott.?The Wellington Sevens tournament was the first event ever staged at the then brand new Westpac Stadium in 2000, and has been a fixture on the Wellington sporting and social calendar ever since.There’s been many colourful moments witnessed off the field, but below are five of the tournament’s rugby highlights thus far.2000: The inaugural Sevens - A huge successFiji won the inaugural tournament, beating New Zealand 24-14 in the Cup Final...More

A couple of months ago Murphy Taramai was working fulltime at the Trentham army base packing pills.?This weekend the Upper Hutt Rams loose forward will take the stage at Westpac Stadium as a member of the New Zealand Sevens team who are seeking to defend their Wellington Sevens crown.?Taramai seemed destined for a career in rugby league. His father Mata (now a civil engineer) was a stalwart for the Upper Hutt Panthers club. Growing up Murphy concedes he too preferred the 13-man code.“I started my sporting career playing soccer...More

Above: Greg Foe taking on Johnsonville for Poneke in Wellington club rugby last year?Three years ago, then Samoa U20 openside flanker Greg Foe came down to Wellington from Auckland to attend the Wellington Sevens as a spectator and he stayed.He joined the Poneke club and quickly became a popular and valuable member of their Premier side in Wellington club rugby.?Three years on, and Foe will this Friday run out on to Westpac Stadium to represent his country of birth, Samoa, in the fourth round of the HSBC Sevens World Series...More

Geoff Cridge is a six foot seven lock who has just signed a Hurricanes contract. On Saturday in Eketahuna the 19 year-old scored a try and performed strongly in the Hurricanes 41-31 pre-season victory against the Crusaders (pictured above with ball in hand).Craig Philpott played lock for Canterbury. He went to Japan before returning to Christchurch. He was a teacher at Shirley Boys’ High School and then a member of the senior management staff at Christchurch Boys’ High School.About a decade ago Philpott turned his hand to coaching and enjoyed immediate success with the New Brighton club...More

The Hurricanes have retained the Great Big Tui Cup in Eketahuna, defeating the Crusaders 41-31 in a pre-season Super Rugby fixture.?The game was divided into four quarters. The Hurricanes, with a strong opening quarter, surged ahead 17-0 and settled victory in that first 20 minutes.The Hurricanes’ first try was scored by blindside flanker Brad Shields, who barged over after a series of pick and goes and some nice breaks by fullback Nehe Milner-Scudder and No. 8 Blade Thomson.?Jason Woodward scored the Hurricanes’ second try, after slick hands from the backline...More

Above: Former Petone players Tana Umaga (left) and Tu Umaga-Marshall (right, now playing for Tawa) celebrating a Jubilee Cup win in 2007 are two of several Wellington club players involved in tomorrow’s match in Perth between the Western Force and the Asia Pacific Dragons.?Update: The Western Force won this pre-season match 38-19.?Five current or former Wellington club rugby players have been named in Tana Umaga’s 24-man squad to play the Western Force tomorrow in Perth.?Umaga has selected current Tawa captain and 2014 Fijian international Taniela Koroi in the Dragons’ front row alongside former Avalon hooker Mahonri Schwalger...More

The Hurricanes have played a special pre-season fixture in the Wairarapa every year since 2010. This year's game in Eketahuna will be the sixth consecutive clash over the hill and the fourth with the Great Big Tui Cup (inset, above) on the line.?Of the previous five games, the first four were played at Mangatainoka, on the doorstep of the Tui brewery. Last year the game was shifted to Masterton.?On Saturday the Hurricanes clash with the Crusaders at the Ekethuna Rugby Football Club on Alfredton Road, to mark the club’s 125th year celebrations...More

Above: Jason Woodward on the burst for the Wellington Lions against Waikato in last year’s ITM Cup. Story by Jack Biggs. Photo credit: Dave Lintott.? After an impressive season with the Melbourne Rebels, Jason Woodward is back on Wellington shores and is eager to pull on the Hurricanes jersey and fulfil a dream. Rugby has been a constant for the talented fullback whose skills can see him cover multiple positions in a backline if needed. It is his one goal and passion in life since running out for Stokes Valley rugby club on frosty Saturday mornings as early as a four year old...More

The inaugural Tawa Sevens tournament is just a few weeks away, and the anticipation is growing.The one-day tournament will feature 12 men’s teams in an open division format, with prizes on offer for the Cup finalists and the Plate and Bowl winners.The Cup champions will take home $1,500, while the Cup runners-up will win $750, the Plate champions $500 and the Bowl winners $300.Tournament organiser Allan Davidson says that that excitement is growing. “The Tawa RFC is really looking to hosting this first Tawa Sevens tournament,” he says, “It’s shaping up as being a terrific day with plenty on offer both on and off the field...More

Promising Wellington lock, Christian Lloyd, is just one of a number of young talents the Hurricanes management have in their arsenal for the 2015 season.The towering lock has battled the injury demons in recent seasons; however, a strong club season with the Upper Hutt Rams ensured his contract with the Lions in 2014, and now, a Hurricanes one to top it off.Lloyd grew up in England surrounded by loved ones who were passionate about sport, rugby in particular. He took a keen interest in football in particular but soon found out his skill-set was better suited to the oval-shaped game, much to the delight of his father Nigel who has a long affiliation with the game...More