Dubai :New Zealand captain DJ Forbes is hoping that a return visit to the Burj Khalifa will bring his team luck just like it did before the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Forbes' squad visited the iconic tower in Downtown Burj Khalifa prior to travelling to India where they went on to claim a fourth consecutive title by defeating traditional rivals Australia 24-17.
"We came here earlier this year and went on to win the gold medal in India, so I'm hoping that the Burj can be a lucky omen for us," Forbes, said yesterday. "We can use some luck this weekend."
Forbes and his team undertook a promotional tour of the world's tallest tower yesterday afternoon where they even performed the Haka, a Maori war dance that has been an important feature of New Zealand rugby teams since the eighties, on the 124th-floor of the skyscraper's Observation Deck.
"Performing the Haka is always special to us, and to perform it at the world's tallest building makes it all the more special," he said.
Giving back
"Unlike our 15s team we usually do the Haka after we win an important match. It's like a victory celebration. But promotional performances like today's is our way of giving something back to the game and to Dubai, which is such a great host."
The Kiwis won the Sevens title in Dubai in 2009 but finished runners-up behind first-time winners Samoa twelve months ago.
