Olympic status already paying dividends
Roar Guru
By Working Class Rugger, 20 Dec 2009 Working Class Rugger is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- IRB, Olympic Games, Rugby Union, Sevens rugby
It’s still only very early days in Rugby’s revitalised Olympic journey, but already the IOC’s emphatic acceptance of the sport is beginning to be felt. Recently, the IRB requested potential applicants to formally state their Expressions of Interest (EOI) to host the 2013 RWC Sevens event, the last ever staging of the event prior to the Rio Games in 2016.
While it has been known for some time that Russia has been keen to host the event, two other unlikely bidders have entered the race. Who might they be? Well, I won’t keep you waiting. Both Germany and Brazil have submitted EOI’s to host Sevens final World Cup event. Russia is considered an emerging power in the Rugby world and it held no surprises in their eagerness to host one of Rugby’s major events, but both Germany and Brazil could be considered as rather left field in their interest.
I thought it might be interesting to evaluate each of these nations’ cases to host the event, starting with who I see as the obvious favourite – Russia.
Russia: As I have previously stated, the obvious favourite with Rugby expanding its presence. The IRB has a vested interest in Russia, allocating a great deal of time and money with the purpose of rapidly assisting the growth of the Russian Bear status in the game of Rugby.
They have an ever improving Professional League, drawing players from throughout Central and Eastern Europe. Media awareness of the game is increasing annually, and ratings for the Six Nations improve year by year.
The real strength of this bid, however, relates to the guaranteed government support the event will receive. The Russian government has already committed to installing Rugby as a school sport throughout the country. Such an event would drastically increase participation and public interest in Rugby in Russia.
Germany: Once upon a time Rugby had a real presence in Germany. But, due to WW2 and Nazism, lost its foothold. However, Rugby is experiencing a resurgence and is now one of the fastest growing sports in Germany. Alongside this re-emergence, there are a few exciting developments occurring in Germany to further improve the standard of Rugby played within its borders and its flagship competition, the 10 team Rugby Bundesliga, most notably the WILD Rugby Academy in Heidelberg.
In 2008 the Hannover European 7s drew a record crowd of over 35,000 to the two day event and obviously the DRV view this opportunity as a real watershed event to provide the Rugby with the necessary exposure and potential investment to kick start further growth and interest towards the game in a nation that has the real potential to become a significant presence in world Rugby.
Brazil: The surprise packet of the three. Though in terms of preparation for 2016 could realistically snatch the event from underneath both its competitors. Brazil is seen as a key development nation in the IRB’s plans, not only within South America but eventually internationally.
Rugby will be a foreign concept to most Brazilians. Awarding them the event and ensuring it runs smoothly could really provide the impetus for a highly successful Rio Games which would all but secure the games Olympic future beyond 2020.
Whoever the IRB elects the decision will not come lightly as in both playing and financial potential all three nations could provide significant windfalls for Rugby, and further assist its growth in key regions of the world. Who will they choose? The emerging power? The potential power? Or the host of the games re-emergence on the Olympic stage? We’ll know soon enough.
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siva samoa said | December 20th 2009 @ 5:53am | Report comment
China and USA fight for Tietjens’ sevens services
By GREG FORD – Sunday Star Times
Gordon Tietjens has been shoulder-tapped by both China and the United States to coach their sevens teams at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The veteran New Zealand coach told the Sunday Star-Times he had been sounded out by both nations, but his loyalties remained with New Zealand – for now.
Tietjens’ contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union expires after the Commonwealth Games next year. He said discussions on renewing his contract had already begun, “and to be fair to the NZRU they have been really good”.
But word on the sevens grapevine is the United States is desperate to secure a sevens expert to oversee its campaign.
And its search has only become more urgent now there’s a chance the code will be played as a demonstration sport at the 2012 Games in London.
A sold-out Twickenham sevens tournament would provide a financial windfall for Games organisers.
“So there’s a renewed sense of urgency in some countries who want to start organising their programmes now,” said Tietjens.
“Opportunities are opening up everywhere. It’s not only in China and the United States, but other countries are getting ready now.”
Singapore has advertised for a coach and it’s understood former All Blacks No 8 Murray Mexted, who runs a rugby academy that caters for young 15-a-side aspirants, is testing the market.
He was seen touting his services as a consultant or campaign manager at the latest round of the IRB Sevens World Series in George, South Africa, which New Zealand won.
Mexted has brochures printed, and is also sounding out coaches to come on board and act as consultants under his banner.
New Zealand’s win in George further enhanced Tietjens’ reputation as the best sevens coach in the world.
Even the International Rugby Board, which is on the hunt for coaches to help sell the sevens gospel in developing countries, is said to have approached the Kiwi.
“There’s a real shortage of sevens specialist expertise,” Tietjens said.
“Opportunities are opening up all over the show.”
But Tietjens is expected to stay put.
He was at pains to stress, yesterday, where his loyalties remain: “To New Zealand – and please quote me on that.”
The next few months should confirm whether that continues.
“I have a couple of meetings scheduled early next year with the NZRU high performance unit,” he said.
“They will be very important meetings. I should find out strategically where sevens sits with them and make my decision after that.”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/sevens/3179266/China-and-USA-fight-for-Tietjens-sevens-services
Bondiplage said | December 20th 2009 @ 6:09am | Report comment
Good posts, Working Class and Siva. I believe Russia’s seven team is already competitive having beaten the US recently. As two of the financial BRIC nations, Brazil and Russia have the dough to hire first class coaches, and almost six years to get a strong squad together for the Olympics. I hear from a pal in Guadalajara that Mexico, another oil-rich, sleeping rugby giant, is already making plans for a strong Olympic sevens team.
Things are getting exciting.
Shahsan said | December 20th 2009 @ 8:31am | Report comment
Trivia question: which country lost the most rugby players in World War I? (see bottom of post).
Anyway, reading this story it makes me almost feel of “be careful what you wish for”. Is it just possible that, in about 20-30 years’ time, the powerhouses of rugby might be Russia, Germany and China? Poor old New Zealand, Australia might become minor players in rugby the way India and Pakistan, once powerhouses in hockey, are now just bit-part players, or like Hungary in soccer.
Trivia answer: Germany.
Rickety Knees said | December 20th 2009 @ 8:48am | Report comment
Great posts WCR & Siva
cookie said | December 20th 2009 @ 9:29am | Report comment
As the saying goes Shahsan, just don’t mention the war.
Matt said | December 20th 2009 @ 10:46am | Report comment
It almost feels like a revolution in the game is on the doorstep.
In 1995, when the code went pro 14 years ago, a rugby fan would never be reading articles talking about China and Russia looking at poaching the best 7′s coach in the world off NZ’s books. Nor would Russia be instigating nationwide schools rugby or be hosting a Pro Comp and bidding for WC events. A major tournament in Germany or Brazil would be dream.
But these days the IRB has the incredible position of being able to choose from 3 of the worlds biggest nations to host their tournaments. By 2020, when 7′s will occur for the second time (or 3rd if it get’s exhibition status for London 2012) who knows how many nations will be realistically in with a shot at the Olympic title?
In 2009 you have Fiji, Samoa, England, Argentina, Wales, New Zealand, South Africa, Kenya and Australia all as potential tournament winners. You also have nations like Russia and USA growing very rapidly and on the cusp of the big boys. If nations like Japan, Scotland, Ireland and France were to throw their weight in behind the 7′s game then look out!
7′s is very capable of throwing up upsets. The fast pace of the game also brings the physically smaller Asian nations into reckoning too. What a great future Rugby 7′s has. The short duration of the matches fit very well into a 2-3 day tournament format and offer a short sharp action packed weekend of games.
It doesn’t really threaten XV’s for covereage as the two sports are very different. 7′s is similar to rugby as 20/20 is to cricket. But a XV’s match is already currently around a 2hr spectacle, the same as a 20/20 match. So in many ways a 20/20 game is the same length as a XV’s game. Whereas a 7′s tournament is more in tune with Test Cricket in terms of overall tournament length. Except that the action is faster and more attractive to the average un familiar punter.
Joh4Canberra said | December 20th 2009 @ 6:48pm | Report comment
Good post, but a suggestion about the use of unfamiliar abbreviations. Although I know what DRV stands for (I have lived in Germany and have seen German rugby in action, even having travelled down to Heidelberg to witness a test match) I’m not so sure everyone reading this would make the link straight away that DRV is the (German) abbreviation for the German Rugby Union (Deutscher Rugby-Verband). Some foreign abbreviations are quite well known — for example I think just about every rugby fan would know that FFR is the French abbreviation for the French Rugby Union (or Federation) without further elaboration. But with DRV I’m not so sure. It never hurts to err on the side of caution.
Bay35Pablo said | December 20th 2009 @ 7:25pm | Report comment
Just tell the Brazilians the Argies are good at it, and they’ll want to knock them off …
China, Russia, the world, hasn’t Super League already taken them by storm …. oh …
Norm said | December 20th 2009 @ 9:52pm | Report comment
-”China, Russia, the world, hasn’t Super League already taken them by storm …. oh …”. Here we go again another wannabe aristocrat pouring contempt on Rugby League. Belittling League somehow makes Union better. It seems Union is incapable of growing on its own merits; this can only be achieved by diminishing other codes, particularly League. Brazil, Russia & Germany world powers in Rugby 7s? More like cannon fodder for New Zealand as they claim gold in the men & women competitions and more fantasy to perpetuate the myth of global rugby 7s competition.
Shahsan said | December 20th 2009 @ 10:54pm | Report comment
I agree union writers should not attack league to make a point apropos of nothing; but if they are responding to something said by a leaguie on union then I reckon that is justifiable.
As for New Zealand winning men’s and women’s gold at the Olympics, I wouldn’t be so sure about that. You are betraying your lack of knowledge of rugby 7s with that statement.
NZ won neither event at the RWC 7s this year, and I think to date they have won only one of the five RWC 7s contested so far (not counting the one-off event in the early 70s, won by England). The other winners have been Fiji (twice), England and Wales. Australia won the inaugural women’s event this year.
As for your comment that “It seems Union is incapable of growing on its own merits; this can only be achieved by diminishing other codes, particularly League” I think that is nonsense. Internationally, rugby union grows or not due purely to its own efforts. It has no direct competition internationally as a sport. Football (soccer) is in a different, much bigger, league.
Rugby league and Aussie rules are a factor only in Australia.
ohtani's jacket said | December 20th 2009 @ 10:52pm | Report comment
As much as I hate these threads, I’m surprised no-one has mentioned the East Asian Games that were held in Hong Kong this month. Rugby Sevens was included for the first time with Japan defeating Hong Kong 26-24 in the Men’s Gold Medal match and China defeating Japan 34-12 in the Women’s Gold Medal match. Korea took bronze in the Men’s competition and Hong Kong were third in the Women’s.
Shahsan said | December 20th 2009 @ 10:57pm | Report comment
Why do you hate these threads?
And is this East Asian games 7s different from the Asian Games rugby 7s? Or do they not hold those anymore?
ohtani's jacket said | December 20th 2009 @ 11:37pm | Report comment
I just think they’re a bunch of hyperbole.
Anyway, the East Asian games are different from the Asian Games. The Asian Games are being held next year from memory.