Commonwealth Games: Terror threat only on field

Ross Everiss, pictured after the last Commonwealth Games with his participant's medal.Photo/File

At the last Commonwealth Games Ross Everiss' family were concerned about the risk of terrorism. This time around it's not so much Delhi belly but the infamous Glaswegian kiss (headbutt) and deep fried Mars bars.

Everiss is one of the more experienced at events like this, although he won't be competing. Instead he is the manager of the All Blacks sevens side on his third Commonwealth Games tour and is contracted to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

"It's a little bit different to Delhi where we were concerned about terrorism," Everiss said.

"What worries me more is we become too blase and treat it like Auckland or Wellington. But we're looking forward to it. I think it will be a good tournament - everyone is pretty keen.

"We're hoping for something a bit better than 2010. We've played the last three years in Glasgow - we know the city a little bit, having been there for the World Series. It's nice going somewhere where we do have an understanding about the place."

Instead of their team hotel, the squad, which assembles for the tournament next week, will be based in the athletes' village. They also won't be playing at the same 9000 capacity Scotstoun Stadium as in the Glasgow Sevens, instead they will be at the 51,000 capacity Ibrox.

"It's an interesting stadium. It has a huge amount of history that you don't realise. It's sold out and will be so different to other events. You can be at the back of the stadium and you're still close to the action."

He said the tournament would be different to the usual sevens series with entry limited to nations in the Commonwealth. Fiji, a big hitter in the World Series, were banned and then recently re-admitted to the Commonwealth but not in time for the sevens draw.

"The last four Commonwealth Games we've won. People look at that and expect it should be the same again. It's one of the pinnacle events for us."

The Commonwealth Games sevens is July 26-27.