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Pre-Commonwealth Games Sevens in Darwin?

Monday 10 August 2009 (NT News and UR7s)

The Australian Rugby Union wants the Northern Territory to host a pre-Commonwealth Games international Sevens tournament next year.

The competition could feature other Commwealth nations' games teams, including defending gold medallists New Zealand, at Austar Park in Darwin.

ARU high performance boss David Nucifora met rugby officials and the NT Government to discuss the proposal.

The 1991 World Cup-winning Wallaby said the Top End would make the ideal training venue for the games in New Delhi, India from October 3-14, 2010. Darwin also hosts the 'Heineken Hottest 7s in the World' every January bringing some of the best players in the world to Austar Park.

"There are no real Sevens tournaments on in that late September - early October period," Nucifora said. "The teams will be looking to get some prepatory games.

"We hope to get the Kiwis and the Pacific Island nations interested. New Delhi in October is going to be very warm and Darwin will provide an ideal place to acclimatise.

"We have spoken about the possibility of working with some of the sport scientists in Darwin that have done work on dealing with heat and humidity."

"The NTRU has done a very good job with organising the Hottest 7s," the former hooker said.

"And a tournament like this would be a good way of showing further support."

However Nucifora said Australia would probably be in camp in the NT for two weeks before the games even if there was no tournament with preparation key in the build up to the Commenwealth Games.

"It's a good possibility. A lot of work needs to be done but it is something we are having a very serious look at," added the Australia U20 head coach.

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