Similar tournaments in the Southern Highlands, Queanbeyan and Byron Bay had to be cancelled due to Covid-19, but with a perfect sense of timing, Kiama has barely skipped a beat.

There have been plenty of anxious moments in the meantime for organiser Mark Bryant.

He had to wait until November before being formally ratified again by Rugby Australia and then even the recent outbreaks in Melbourne fuelled fears the event might not go ahead.

Read more: Big test to see if Golden Slipper can fit Robert and Luke Price-trained Jamaea

However, at kick-off at 8.15am at Kiama Showground at Chittick Oval on Saturday, the Sevens will still feature the maximum 44 teams in five divisions.

"You were always worried it would only take one case on the coast to stop it happening," Bryant said.

"But we've been lucky, it was two weeks after last year that we went into lockdown.

"We've had to tick a lot of Covid boxes along the way, but it's great to have all the teams coming back from all over the state.

"Especially when you've got clubs like Grenfell who have been coming for 30 years."

Read more: McCullough out to write his own narrative after Dragons switch

The only restrictions involved are having to buy tickets online at kiamarugby.com rather than at the gate, which can still be purchased on Saturday, as well as needing to be seated in enclosed areas.

Warringah will return to defend their open men's title, while Sydney's Southern Districts are back in a bid to retain the women's crown.

Shoalhaven were the standout Illawarra Rugby team by winning the Bowl final last year and Kiama were beaten in the Country Cup decider.

Saturday from 8.15am (Kiama Showground and Chittick Oval)

Finals (at Chittick Oval)

6.50pm: Premier men's final

6.30pm: Premier men's plate consolation final

6.10pm: Premier women's final

5.50pm: Men's Country Cup final

5.30pm: Women's Country Cup final

5.10pm: Bowl final.