Rugby players duel in LV tourney

Friday, June 14, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

More than 1,000 rugby players and fans from across the country will descend on Las Vegas this weekend for a tournament.

The Steinlager Las Vegas Midnight Sevens rugby tournament will be played Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.

The all-day tournament will feature 65 teams playing 177 15-minute games on eight fields. Teams consist of seven players rather than the traditional 15.

"This is the biggest rugby tournament of its kind in the U.S.," said Craig Platt, tournament director. "It's a great spectator sport because it's so fast, so quick and intense."

It's the ninth consecutive year the event has been in Las Vegas.

Games begin at 4 p.m. Admission is free.

The tournament will include a woman's division, the first in its history. At least five teams will compete for the title.

The Las Vegas Rugby Club will serve as the host team for the tournament. The Togan Yankees, the defending tournament and national rugby champions, will also participate.

The tournament is being sponsored by Las Vegas Events, a private nonprofit organization dedicated to attracting and presenting special events in Las Vegas.

Tucker DiEdwardo, Las Vegas Events president, said the tournament is expected to generate more than $500,000 in nongaming revenue for the local economy.