Muscles will be bruised, egos either built up or battered but the vast majority of the players at the NZI Sevens in Wellington will hop on a plane within hours of the final whistle to travel to the next tournament on the IRB Sevens World Series.
The USA Sevens will provide the final flourish of preparation for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai in March, with tournaments in San Diego for both men and women.
A success story since moving from Los Angeles to San Diego, the USA Sevens provides rugby with its most compelling shop window in America.
"It's like attending an Olympics event," the tournament's Managing Director Ray Peterson told the San Diego Business Journal.
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"There's a lot of partying going on, that's what makes it different. You've got all these Kenyans getting dressed up, Australians, Argentineans, they're all in the stands and mixing together."
Last year's matches generated a fan base of 37,500 over the two days, up 40 percent from 2007, when it was held at the city's baseball stadium PETCO Park for the first time.
Because the event happens before the Padres' season begins, the city receives 70 percent of net revenue and last year the Sevens generated $518,000 for the city.
"This year the attendance should reach above 50,000, but much depends on the weather," said Tournament Director and former Eagles captain Dan Lyle.
"Like any sporting event in Southern California, we get a lot of walk-up buyers and last minute purchases. If people wake up and see it's sunny outside, then they'll come."
The alluring combination of sports, international participation and international broadcasting was a key reason for San Diego wanting to host the Sevens when the tournament went looking for a new home after disappointing crowds at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Los Angeles.
"We think the event has a tremendous amount of potential given the number of countries participating, and it's broadcast all over the world," said Sal Giametta, spokesman for the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau.
"It's the kind of event that brings people to town."
USA Sevens Tickets
The USA Sevens takes place on 14-15 February. Tickets for the USA Sevens at San Diego's PETCO Park are now on sale from just $20. For details or to purchase, or for details of special discount rates at partner hotels go to
www.usasevens.com.
