Photos: Parade of 16 Nations downtown kicks off USA Sevens Rugby

Tom Donoghue/DonoghuePhotography.com

2012 USA Sevens Rugby parade of nations at Fremont Street Experience on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012.

By Robin Leach (contact)

Friday, Feb. 10, 2012 | 4:58 p.m.

2012 USA Sevens Rugby: Parade of Nations at Fremont Street Experience

Launch slideshow »

The Parade of 16 Nations on Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas on Thursday night kicked off the 2012 USA Sevens Rugby International Tournament, and contributing photographer Tom Donoghue was onsite for his festive photo gallery of the players, their nations’ flags and fans.

The tournament is today through Sunday at Sam Boyd Stadium, and the 16 countries represented are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, the United States, Uruguay and Wales.

During the three days of the tournament, there are 44 matches, plus carnival activities and food from all the nations at the International Fan Festival complete with rugby clinics. Today at Sunset Station, there’s an opening-night-of-play International Beer Festival with ales from all 16 countries.

Off the rugby field

On Thursday night at Lombardi’s in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile, the Welsh and reigning champion New Zealand teams found themselves fighting for seats at the Italian restaurant. Staff there kept them separated at opposite ends of the eatery to prevent the games starting early!

Check out our rundown of USA Sevens Rugby posted Thursday.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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