Fiji 7s Eyeing 3rd Vegas Title Win
The Fijians have won in 2015 and 2016 since the annual event was shifted from AT& T Park in San Diego in 2010.
Tuesday 26 February 2019 | 15:47
The Fiji Airways 7s team will be eyeing its third win in Las Vegas when the USA Sevens kicks off this weekend at the iconic Sam Boyd Stadium.
The Fijians have won in 2015 and 2016 since the annual event was shifted from AT& T Park in San Diego in 2010.
The Blitzboks, with four wins, have won the most times in Vegas.
New Zealand has yet to win in Sin City.
7s New Home
And the USA Sevens could have a new home in 2020.
The move comes after years of poor ratings by players and coaches, who criticised the pitch itself is one of the narrowest international rugby.
The sidelines are also very tight to the stands, which has raised concerns more than once about player safety.
The artificial turf was replaced with natural grass two years ago and has been reviewed more positively by the players.
The future of Sam Boyd Stadium was also up in the air, as the pending move of the Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas includes the construction of a publicly-owned stadium on the Las Vegas Strip.
The University of Nevada-Las Vegas, which has played football at Sam Boyd since the 1970s, is set to be a tenant at the new stadium.
That has led to speculation that Sam Boyd would be demolished.
The American tournament, which was first held in 2004, has previously taken place in Los Angeles and San Diego.
Last summer’s Rugby World Cup Sevens were held at AT&T Park (now Oracle Park) in San Francisco.
The USA team won their home event for the first time in 2018; this year tournament is scheduled for March 1 to 3.
Edited by Sheldon Chanel
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