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 and is hosted by the Northern Territory Rugby Union. 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 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 2013 – Auckland 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 – Hong Kong 2001 – NZ Batt 3 2000 – Fiji Services 1999 – Darwin Dingoes 1998 – Potoroos 1997 – Potoroos 1996 – Burnside 1995 – Sydney University 1994 – Duavata 1993 – Hong Kong 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 2018 – Darwin Stallions (NZ)

2016 – Brisbane Fiji 2015 – NT Mosquitos 2014 – Country King Browns 2013 – Papua New Guinea 2012 – NT Mosquitos 2011 – Western Wolfpack 2010 – NT Mosquitos 2009 – Randwick 2008 – NT Mosquitos 2007 – Adelaide Black Falcons 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 BoksHottest 7s Results (Field 2) Sunday Territorian. 2010.Darwin Hottest 7's Katherine Brahmans. 2011. 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 – Hong Kong 2013 – Sunnybank 2012 – Aussie Pearls 2011 – Eastsyde 7's 2010 – Queensland 2009 – Zonnators 2008 – Arrongatahi NZ 2007 – Northern Territory Invitations 2004 – University Pirates 2003 – University Pirates 2002 – Hong Kong 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)