Rugby sevens fans draw bachelor inspiration in grandstands
FORGET Commonwealth Tinder, these lads are on the search for love among the grandstands by throwing their heart on their sleeve at the Rugby sevens.
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FORGET Commonwealth Tinder, these lads are on the search for love among the grandstands by throwing their heart on their sleeve at the Rugby sevens.
Drawing inspiration from Australia’s next The Bachelor star, Nick “Honey Badger’ Cummings, the boys have adorned themselves in the wildest mullets money can buy.
The group came equipped with roses and date cards, ready for any lucky lady that crosses their paths.
“We will give it a crack,” Gold Coast local Damien Reid said.
When asked who he hoped to pick up given the Aussie ladies team weren’t playing, he replied.
“Well if they are at the rugby, we will go off like a frog in a sock,” he said.
Spectators on the buses to get home
BUSES were ready and waiting for the thousands of Rugby 7s spectators now working their way out of Robina Stadium.
Though there was an initial bottle neck, spectators seemed happy to wait the quarter of an hour to catch public transport home.
Organisers also provided bottles of water to the passing crowd.
Broadbeach man Nick St George, who bore his own rugby injury, said volunteers had helped him on his journey to and from the stadium.
“It was sweet, they helped me with my leg,” Mr St George said.
“Getting here didn’t take too long so getting home shouldn’t either.”
Dressed as Tarzan with his mate Michael MacDonald, Mr St George said he had hoped to see more people on fancy dress.
“There were a few men dressed as women so that was good,” he laughed.
“I can’t play rugby at the moment so at least I can watch.”
Josh Scott who was returning home via a train said the water was a nice touch.
“Getting here was a bit how you doing, but it looks like we will be alright getting home,” he said.
Gold Coast resident Jenny said the transport to the event had been “dead set easy”.
However she reserved judgement on the travel home.
“Well we will see, they can always make it better for the next one in 40 years time,” she said.
Michael MacDonald and Nick St George in their not so Aussie attire.
Half an hour after the Robina Stadium mass exit began a majority of spectators were loaded onto public transport and made their way home.
The Robina station emptied quickly under the watchful eye of a number of Transport and Main Road representatives.
Some children waiting were lucky enough to have been gifted a Borobi sticker or two by one police officer on duty, while others collected high fives from a happy volunteer with a foam hand.
With the final rugby game for the afternoon completed the final wave of spectators has begun to make their way to the now emptied station.
Colourful outfits a rugby sevens must
LIKE any important occasion in life, weddings, funerals and graduations, clothing is key.
The same goes for the Rugby Sevens where wild outfits and colours are not only advised, the are almost required.
For New Zealand supporters Wilson Tioke and Cheyenne Robb inspiration for their Rugby garb struck white on holiday.
The pair in their multicoloured tropical suits could not make it five metres without being stopped in the crowd for a photo.
“We has them made in Bali especially for the rugby,” Mr Tioke said.
“Not sure where else we will be able to get away with wearing them,” he said.
“$50, They were a good deal,” he said.
For a crew of Brisbane sailors, costume comes with the territory.
“We did this all the time in London when we lived there, so we are getting together today,” one of the sailors said.
Another was surprised to discover smoking wasn’t allowed in the venue.
“I’m a social smoker so I should be able to go the day,” he said.
“It’s healthy right?”.
The Patriotic Ernst family who travelled from Western Queensland for the rugby took their commitment to costume to the next level.
“Oh yeah you do this at the rugby,” Nancy Ernst who had even painted her toenails green and gold for the day said.
Even the alway enthusiastic volunteers were adding a little extra flair.
Volunteer Jodi Beattie has her nails painted in a borobi theme by her almost 16-year-old daughter.
Ms Beattie who is no relation to another famous games regular said she is enjoying the atmosphere.
“My creative daughter did them for me,” she said flashing her colourful digits.
“I’ve been on the train at 3 am, but I’m a nurse so I’m used to dealing with shift work,” she said.
Enough 7s excitement for one day
A MORNING of excitement and festivity at the Rugby 7s is enough to tucker anyone out.
As tough as they are, the young families were some of the first to sneak out of Robina Stadium for more important events, like nap time.
“Yeah, we thought we had better go, we saw Australia and England so we got what we came for,” Helensvale dad Matt said.
“Our two are ready to go,” he said nudging his head towards his excited children Posy and Matt, both enthralled with the Optus fold out signs.
It was the same for the Pott family who had their fill of the Commonwealth Games early in the day.
“It’s good we can see some and then go, very easy,” Rebecca Pott who was cradling a sleepy Bennett Pott said.
Mother of two Elaine Lo was more than happy to head back to Brisbane after a few hours of Commonwealth Games fun with the family.
“It was a simple trip in the train, so we will go back that way,” Mrs Lo said.
“It’s been good fun, the kids have enjoyed it,” she said.
Borpobi the star at the cycling
SPECTATORS clap as the cyclists pass them during the men’s road race but there is only one thing that stops them in their tracks - Borobi.
The trendy Borobi on the Currumbin beach front has slick shades and cycling lycra.
People of all ages are stopping to take photos with the fibreglass koala.
Janine Burger from Byron Bay said she had to have a photo with Borobi because he was “beautiful”.
“He is the games,” she said.
“It’s a proud moment because he is fantastic.”
Mrs Burger was at the Commonwealth Games with her nephew Brandon from Wollongong who races bikes.
“He loves riding so that’s why we drove up here today,” she said.
Fans flock to Robina for Rugby Sevens
MASSIVE lines at the Robina stadium for the Rugby sevens were quickly filtered in within the first quarter of an hour of gates opening.
Spectators from as far as Kenya had travelled exclusively to see their rugby champions on the field.
Those that travelled in via the trains remained complaint free while those looking for parks struggled for the few street parks available.
The McMahon family drove from Wagga Wagga yesterday to ensure they would make the rugby on time.
“We are here for the Rugby, for sure,” David McMahon said.
The pair were surprised to see how much the Gold Coast had changed since they last visited during schoolies.
“A bit different after 25 years,” Emma McMahon said.
“It’s great, the volunteers have been fantastic.”
While most of the entry process has run smoothly confusion around water bottle security remains.
A number of spectators have been told to empty water bottles, while others were told it was ok to bring the full bottles into the stadium.
With the mixed messages on entry, security at each gate has been left to make the final call.
Spectators wait for entry at robins stadium
Rain can’t keep away cycling fans
IT IS spitting rain at Currumbin for the Men’s road race at the Commonwealth Games but it hasn’t stopped thousands of spectators from watching on track side.
Kerry Jones travelled to the Gold Coast from Wales to watch this race.
“I can’t believe how beautiful the setting is for the race,” he said.
Mr Jones said he hoped the Welsh rider Jonathan Mould keep his lead in the breakaway and win.
Games a dampener for businesses
GOLD Coast businesses have reported the Commonwealth Games has been a dampener on trade but for at least one suburb it could be a catalyst for a booming new industry.
Local business owner Allister Elliott said the road upgrades for the cycling events in Currumbin could spark a new tourism industry.
Watching the road cycling event on Saturday, Mr Elliott said the upgraded roads meant his business could soon start an ultra-triathlon event on the Gold Coast.
His business tried to run the three day event in 2014 but if fell over because the road conditions were too bad for cyclists.
“We would look at doing triathlon events now but in the past it would be impossible because of the road,” he said.
“It’s magic out there now because of the upgrade.”
Mr Elliott said because the Gold Coast was a destination city, people would travel for triathlon, cycling and ultra-triathlon events.
His example of an ultra-triathlon event was at Llanberis in Wales which attracts 27,000 spectators and 9000 competitors to the three day event.
The first event in Australia last year at Jarvis Bay attracted 1200 competitors.
The race is on to avoid the rain
THERE is about 8km left in the women’s road cycling event and rain is about the same distance away.
The clouds have rolled in and drops of rain are starting to fall.
The race could be over before the rain hits but it could be hovering over Currumbin for the men’s race this afternoon.
Currumbin alive with sound of bells
THE sound of cow bells is ringing out in Currumbin as people shamelessly walk around in Lycra.
But it’s not out of place for the road cycling race at the Commonwealth Games this morning.
There are bikes everywhere at Winders Park where hundreds of spectators can watch the big screen and race at the same spot.
Ringing the cow bells is the Walters family, Charles, Jane and their son Sam.
Mr Walters said the cow bells were used to cheer the cyclists on.
The family gave them a big shake when breakaway leader from Jersey Kimberley Ashton rode past.
The Simpson family was more focused on supporting the Australian team.
They live in Tugun and had popped down to watch the free event.
Originally published as Rugby sevens fans draw bachelor inspiration in grandstands
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