They are from a country that lives and breathes rugby, their shirt is a global symbol for excellence in the sport and they are reigning world champions. So when the New Zealand women’s team speaks about rugby sevens, it’s worth listening.

“It’s exciting, it’s fun, it’s fast, it’s awesome,” said star player Kayla McAlister, when asked why Olympic Games fans should snap up tickets. Her coach, Sean Horan, could not agree more. “If you’re into fast, dynamic sport, with a high skill-set and a wow factor, then rugby sevens is for you. You’re going to get 14 minutes of pulsating excitement.”

Rugby sevens is a super-concentrated, high-octane version of the traditional 15-a-side version of the game, known as rugby union. Played by two teams of seven players, on a full-size pitch, with two halves of seven minutes, it will make its debut in the Olympic Games at Rio 2016 (the 15-a-side game was last played at the 1924 Games).

The Kiwi women were in Rio this week, fresh from winning the second round of the World Sevens Series, which was held in São Paulo at the weekend (February 7 and 8). Having also won the first round in Dubai, they sit top of the table and must remain in the top four until the end of the six rounds to ensure their place in Rio.

Last year they won the inaugural world series and the world championship in Russia, so it is fair to assume they will be favourites to claim the first Olympic gold medals in their sport.

As they endeared themselves to cariocas by giving rugby lessons to kids from local ‘favela’ communities on Copacabana beach – then performing the renowned ‘haka’ and dancing to samba with the locals (see the video and photo gallery below) – the New Zealand players were also busy falling in love with the city.

“It’s really special that rugby is in the Olympics and it’s why I converted over (from netball),” said McAlister. “It’s going to be awesome. It’s a beautiful city with great things to see. We went to Christ the Redeemer today, which was amazing. The Olympics here are going to be massive.”

McAlister, whose brother Luke was an international rugby union player with the famous New Zealand ‘All Blacks’, explains what attributes young sevens players need. “The tackling can be pretty intense, so you need to have physical strength, you need to have mental strength too and good fitness – although matches only last 14 minutes, the pitch is big so there is a lot of space to cover. But most of all, you have to have fun. You have to enjoy what you do.”

Rugby will take place at Deodoro Olympic Park along with BMX cycling, mountain bike, canoe slalom, basketball, hockey, equestrian, modern pentathlon and shooting. It is an eclectic mix of the new and the traditional that promises to create a special atmosphere at the second largest cluster of Rio 2016 Games venues.

“It will be really cool to be there with all those other sports,” said McAlister. “Every sport has one thing in common: professionalism and the desire to compete and win.” 

Horan is also looking forward to showcasing his sport in this unique context. “It’s going to be a hive of activity and it’s going to have a great buzz. There are some really dynamic sports there, sports which are quite left-field, full of excitement. People want to see that. Sevens fits with society these days – it’s short, sharp and fast – we want things quickly, and that’s what sevens delivers.”

Check out our photo gallery of the All Blacks on Copacabana beach: