NT Rugby's Hottest 7s in the World returns this weekend!
2024 is set to be the hottest tournament yet with touring sides Tahi 7s (Sunshine Coast) and Saunaka (Sydney) among a host of challengers raring to take down legendary three-time defending champions Tabadamu for the men’s title.
Tune into the Hottest 7s livestream above or via rugby.com.au/videos.
There will be no shortage of talent in the women’s draw either with local clubs looking to get into the action and earn their slice of the $40,000 prize pool.
Classic Wallabies Matt Cockbain and Shirley Russell have also been visiting rugby-hungry kids across the Top End from Katherine to Darwin as part of a pre-event tour.
Cockbain played 63 Tests for the Wallabies including their 1999 World Cup win, and visited Darwin as part of the Australian team ahead of the 2003 tournament.
“This is a real good way for the Classic Wallabies and Rugby Australia to come up and connect with people and juniors in the region that play the game,” Cockbain told the NT News.
“I trained up here before 2003 and remember that being quite hard, but it was a great experience and helped us connect better.
“I always enjoy the atmosphere here; it’s quite laid back and the people are friendly. It’s just a really good rugby community.”
Russell has deep connections to the NT of her own and is often the first to put her hand up to make the trip north.
“The Territory’s got a big part of my heart, in both a rugby and family space. It’s great to have that connection and connect with the community,” she said.
“We’ve seen more numbers attending this trip, and there’s been plenty of enthusiasm from both the juniors and seniors, as well as the new coaches going through their clinic.
“The numbers in the women’s game are good too for the Hottest Sevens. They all want to be part of it, and they all want to represent their family, their friends and the NT.”
