A MAMANUCA holiday retreat took advantage of the Digicel 7s team's victory at the Gold Coast event and gave locals and tourists alike an opportunity to mingle with the rugby gladiators.
What caught most of the management and staff of Plantation Island Resort by surprise was the fact that tourists were just as eager as locals in getting up close and personal with the champs. They certainly knew more about the team than white sandy beaches and warm friendly people.
Hundreds of resort staff and international guests jammed the jetty to catch a glimpse of the Digicel 7s warriors as they disembarked, later lining up for the opportunity to get autographs and photographs of their favourite team members.
Tourists from Australia and New Zealand said they knew who the Digicel 7s players were and coming from rugby loving nations, they had a lot of respect for the young side and their victory at the Gold Coast.