Sevens vets in babies mode

A group of baby head-wearing men will join the party at Sevens Wellington today. Photo / Warren Buckland

Rugby fans and party animals are making their way to Westpac Stadium in Wellington today for the annual sevens tournament, including a group of Havelock North men scarily donning baby heads.

Paul McCarthy and seven others will be flying to the capital today to take part in New Zealand's most colourful sporting event.

"The crowd is just exceptional, everyone there in that stadium is having a great time and I love my rugby as well, so I will be watching New Zealand closely to see how they do."

After taking the past two years off from the 36,000-strong party, Mr McCarthy said he was a regular sevens fan and had attended the previous 10 Wellington tournaments.

"I love both the rugby and the people watching."

He said his neighbour had gathered a group of five who would be wearing babies' heads during the two-day festival. He will be wearing a "muscle T-shirt".

"They are a little bit scary, those baby heads. Driving around all five of them in the convertible looks pretty funny and you have to sort of do a double take at what you just saw because they look so realistic.

"They imported them [heads], so they put a fair bit of effort into it. Those boys will also be heading off to Hong Kong Sevens too."

The Havelock North Rugby Club secretary said he would be watching his fellow club compatriot and New Zealand sevens representative Gillies Kaka keenly.

"We generally order about 40-odd ticket for members of the club, we will be cheering on New Zealand and of course our club boy Gillies."

He said "no doubt" he would be attending the Wellington Sevens in the future.

Sevens Wellington is one of nine HSBC Sevens World Series tournaments contested every year.

It will be held today and tomorrow.