Darwin’s 2020 Hottest 7s tournament cancelled due to ongoing concerns surrounding COVID-19

DARWIN’S popular Hottest 7s Rugby Sevens tournament has been cancelled for 2020 due to ongoing concerns surrounding COVID-19

Emori Aqua (Ball) chased down by NT Mozzies’ Jordan Waterbury chases down Legends Tabadamu’s Emori Aqua in the 2019 Hottest 7s. Picture: Glenn Campbell

NT RUGBY Union has made the decision to cancel the 2020 edition of the Hottest 7s due to ongoing concerns surrounding COVID-19.

The annual competition that involves teams from around Australia and the world was set to take place from November 14-15 at TRL Stadium, Marrara.

The decision was made in line with NT Government advice aiming to prioritise the health and safety of Territorians and potential visitors.

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Hottest 7s is one of the biggest events on the Territory sporting calendar with hundreds of teams coming to Darwin over the competition’s 32-year history to claim the lucrative prize money.

Recent years have seen international teams comprising from the Pacific Islands dominate the competition with the Fijian built Stallions taking home the $30,000 prize cheque in 2019.

NT Rugby Union President Denys Stedman said it was an incredible disappointment to have to cancel the 2020 edition but felt with the ongoing and unpredictable nature of COVID-19 cancelling was the best choice.

“It is incredibly disappointing to have to pull the pin on the 2020 Hottest 7s event, however the safety and wellbeing of our rugby family will always come first,” Stedman said.

“Furthermore, given current border closures several states would have missed out which would have impacted the standard of competition.

“Planning is now underway to find a suitable 2021 date and we look forward to welcoming back teams from across the country and around the world, who will no doubt beat the heat.”

The Hottest 7s was originally the first major rugby tournament to be announced in Australia following the COVID-19 stand down period earlier in the year.

However, the recent resurgence in Victoria has seen the event cancelled once again likely to return sometime in 2021, with an official date to be announced in coming months.

In lieu of the annual spectacle the Palmerston Rugby Union Club will host a local Sevens Rugby competitions for under 6s through to under 16s.

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Meanwhile the Darwin clubs are set to returns to their 15 a side competition at the end of October as the club competition returns to a Wet Season schedule.

The competition will see the Darwin sides fight for the Dennis Bree Shield for the second time in 2020 as the Darwin Dragons strive to win the crown for the third season in a row.