The Darwin Hottest Sevens, known as the Hottest 7s in the World or the Hottest 7s, is a rugby sevens tournament held annually in Darwin, Australia on a weekend in early October. The event is sponsored by

Heineken Heineken Lager Beer ( nl, Heineken Pilsener), or simply Heineken () is a pale lager beer with 5% alcohol by volume produced by the Dutch brewing company Heineken N.V. Heineken beer is sold in a green bottle with a red star. History On 15 Feb ...

and is hosted by the

Northern Territory Rugby Union The Northern Territory Rugby Union, or NTRU, is the governing body for the sport of rugby union within the Northern Territory in Australia. It is a member of Rugby Australia. The Northern Territory Rugby Union manages competitions in several age ...

. The tournament draws club teams and national teams from many countries around the world, including New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, England, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and Australia. The competition began in 1989, as the Territory Sevens, with the inaugural event being won by Fijian team, Duavata. The tournament was re-branded as the Hottest 7s in 2005, and has been supported by the

Northern Territory Government The Government of the Northern Territory of Australia, also referred to as the Northern Territory Government, is the Australian territorial democratic administrative authority of the Northern Territory. The Government of Northern Territory wa ...

since 2009. The organisers in 2013 claimed it was the richest rugby sevens tournament in the Southern Hemisphere with a prize pool of $65,000. The tournament was cancelled in 2020, but returned in 2021.

Format

The tournament attracts around forty to fifty teams each year. As of 2014, there were thirty-two men's teams and eight women's teams. In the men's competition the top eight teams are seeded and eight pools of four teams each are drawn, with each team playing all others in their pool once. The top two teams from each pool advance to the Cup/Plate bracket, and the bottom two teams from each group enter the Bowl/Shield bracket. There are quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals matches in each bracket to decide the winners of the Croc Cup, Buff Plate, Barra Bowl, and Gecko Shield trophies. For the women's competition, two pools of four teams each are drawn, with each team playing all others in their pool once to determine the seedings for the finals matches. There are quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final to decide the winner of the Jabiriu Cup.

Winners

The Hottest Sevens tournament trophy winners are listed below (results from 1989 to 2004 are for the Territory Sevens):

Croc Cup competition

* 2022 – Tabadamu (Fiji) * 2021 – Tabadamu (Fiji) * 2020 – ''not contested'' * 2019 – Miwatj Stallions * 2018 – Borneo Eagles * 2017 – Darwin Stallions (NZ) * 2016 – Tabadamu (Fiji) * 2015 – Borneo Eagles * 2014 –

Hong Kong Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delta i ...

* 2013 –

Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The most populous urban area in the country and the fifth largest city in Oceania, Auckland has an urban population of about ...

* 2012 – Borneo Eagles * 2011 – Borneo Eagles * 2010 – Borneo Eagles * 2009 – Samoa Barbarians * 2008 – South Sea Drifters (Fiji) * 2007 – South Sea Drifters (Fiji) * 2006 – Fiji Barbarians * 2005 – Aussie Spirit * 2004 – Darwin Dingoes * 2003 – Potoroos * 2002 –

* 2001 – NZ Batt 3 * 2000 – Fiji Services * 1999 – Darwin Dingoes * 1998 – Potoroos * 1997 – Potoroos * 1996 – Burnside * 1995 – Sydney University * 1994 – Duavata * 1993 –

* 1992 – Duavata * 1991 – Sydney University * 1990 – AIS * 1989 – Duavata

Buff Plate competition

* 2022 – Pristine Warriors * 2021 – Strait Balas 7s * 2020 – ''not contested'' * 2019 –

Western Sydney Two Blues Western Sydney Two Blues Rugby, formerly Parramatta Two Blues Rugby, is a rugby union club based in Parramatta, the second CBD of Sydney, Australia. The club was formed in 1879 and competes in the Shute Shield run by the New South Wales Rugby ...

* 2018 – Darwin Stallions (NZ) * * 2016 – Brisbane Fiji * 2015 – NT Mosquitos * 2014 – Country King Browns * 2013 –

Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niugini; ho, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niu Gini), is a country i ...

* 2012 – NT Mosquitos * 2011 – Western Wolfpack * 2010 – NT Mosquitos * 2009 – Randwick * 2008 – NT Mosquitos * 2007 –

Adelaide Black Falcons The Black Falcons is a representative rugby union team based in Adelaide, South Australia. The team is selected from the best senior club players in South Australia and represents the state in matches against other Australian representative team ...

* 2006 – Aussie Legends * 2005 – Potoroos * 2004 – Burnside * 2003 – Casuarina * 2002 – South Darwin * 2001 – South Darwin * 2000 – University Pirates * 1999 – Albatross * 1998 – Aussie Signs * 1997 – South Darwin * 1996 – Palmerston Crocs * 1995 – HMAS Albatross * 1994 – Bayside * 1993 – RSL Dragons * 1992 – Singapore Cricket Club * 1991 – Singapore Cricket Club * 1990 – Crocs * 1989 – Phantoms

Barra Bowl competition

* 2022 – Northern Marlins * 2021 – East Arnhem * 2020 – ''not contested'' * 2019 – Casuarina Cougars * 2018 – Gumatji Cavaliers * 2017 – Narraro (Fiji) * 2016 – Burnside (Adelaide) * 2015 – Noosa Dolphins * 2014 – Southern Lions * 2013 – East Arnhem * 2012 – Bungendore Mudchooks * 2011 – East Arnhem * 2010 – Alice Springs * 2009 – Darwin Dingoes * 2008 – Alice Springs * 2007 – Brahmans * 2006 – Ironsides (Army) * 2005 – Full Damage * 2004 – Dragons Green * 2003 – Swampdogs * 2002 – Singapore Cricket Club * 2001 – Poddles * 2000 – Poddles * 1999 – Lions * 1998 – Dragons * 1997 – Aussie Signs * 1996 – Airport Hotel Cougars * 1995 – Pints * 1994 – RSL Dragons * 1993 – Lions * 1992 – Pandata Panthers * 1991 – Darwin U21 * 1990 – Cougars

Gecko Shield competition

* 2022 – South Darwin * 2021 – ''not contested'' * 2020 – ''not contested'' * 2019 – Central Crewsaders * 2018 – Northern NSW Hogs * 2017 – Honkers (Aust) * 2016 – East Arnhem * 2015 – Central Crusaderz * 2014 – University * 2013 – South Darwin * 2012 – Groote Eylandt * 2011 – Palmerston * 2010 – Brahmans Boks * 2009 – Groote Eylandt * 2008 – Groote Eylandt

Player of the tournament

* 2020 – ''not contested'' * 2019 – Abele Atunaisa (Legends Tabadamu) * 2018 – Celia Dranes (France Development women) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Jabiru Women's Cup competition

* 2021 – Classic Wallaroos/1st Nations Development * 2021 – Reds/Queensland Academy of Sport * 2020 – ''not contested'' * 2019 – Miwatj/Festerville Industries Stallions * 2018 – France Development * 2017 – Australian Women's Development VII * 2016 – Tribe 7s * 2015 – Tribe 7s (invitational team – Aust.) * 2014 –

* 2013 – Sunnybank * 2012 – Aussie Pearls * 2011 – Eastsyde 7's * 2010 –

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* 2009 – Zonnators * 2008 – Arrongatahi NZ * 2007 – Northern Territory Invitations * 2004 – University Pirates * 2003 – University Pirates * 2002 –

* 2001 – Casuarina * 2000 – Pints Dragons * 1999 – NTIS * 1998 – Pints Dragons * 1997 – University Pirates * 1996 – Casuarina Cougars * 1995 – Palmerston Sweethearts

Jacana Women's Plate competition

* 2022 – ''not contested'' * 2021 – ''not contested'' * 2020 – ''not contested'' * 2019 – University Pirates * 2018 – ''not contested'' * 2017 – Central Queensland Dingoes * 2016 – ''not contested'' * 2015 – Sydney University

References

External links

Hottest7s.com
Official Website
Hottest 7s in the World
on Facebook.com
Hottest 7s in the World
on ur7s.com (Ultimate Rugby Sevens) {{Rugby union in Australia Rugby sevens competitions in Australia Rugby union in the Northern Territory Sport in Darwin, Northern Territory Recurring sporting events established in 1989 1989 establishments in Australia