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Five takeaways from the USA Sevens rugby extravaganza

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The United States’ Folau Niua (7) runs towards the goal against Wales during the USA Sevens Rugby Tournament at Sam Boyd Stadium on March 4.
Photo: Mikayla Whitmore
Chris Bitonti

2016 USA Sevens Rugby: Fans

1. It was another record-breaking attendance year for the U.S. stop on the Rubgy Sevens World Series, this time crossing the 80,000 mark. It's still predominantly an international affair, but the American contingent seemed larger than in any of the tournament's previous six years in Las Vegas. But every fanbase paled in comparison to the Fijian crowd, who politely overran the stadium by covering an entire end zone in baby blue.

2. As anyone who has attended will tell you, Rugby Sevens is all about the fans. While this was a tame year by costume standards, unsurprisingly, Donald Trump was a frequent lampoon. Attendees donned “Make American Rugby Great Again” hats and Trump masks and wigs, but my personal favorite was the troop of lucha libres in full-spandex getups holding “Endorso Trumpo” signs.

3. As rugby continues to catch on in the States and the sport fulfills its athletic manifest destiny, the U.S. continues to compete at a higher level. The team advanced to the semifinals and meaningful Sunday play for the second year in row before being knocked out by the champion to be, Fiji.

2016 USA Sevens Rugby: Day 1

4. I did god’s work on my self-imposed challenge to dine at all of the international vendors in the food court. New Zealand meat pies, Kenyan samosas and Polynesian barbecue chicken were all highlights, but the most-improved award goes to beer selection this year. Expanded tents in the court and more multi-brand taps throughout the corridors made for shorter waits and good drinking throughout the weekend.

5. I wish I could bring every person I know to the tournament to experience it themselves, because there’s no way to do the friendly yet competitive atmosphere justice or properly explain the excitement on the field seeing the U.S. score a winning try. I’m already looking forward to 2017 and hoping the tournament has found a home in Vegas for good.

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