By Bay35Pablo -
December 29th 2009 @ 1:21am
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Anyone for an Aussie summer of Sevens?
Following on from my article about the Adelaide Sevens, the other idea for Sevens rugby that I alluded to is an Australian domestic program for the format.
As others have commented extensively about, in many ways Sevens rugby is a different format to Fifteens, with slightly different skill sets. A top Fifteens player will not necessarily excel at Sevens. However, a number of Sevens players have gone on to play Fifteens, and I recall league converts like Lote Tuqiri were first blooded in rugby via Sevens to ease them in.
Thus, in many ways, Australia needs a domestic competition to find Sevens players, and ensure we have a shot at both the IRB World Sevens series and an Olympic medal in due course. With no disrespect to the current Australian Sevens squad, they haven’t really been in the top tier of the IRB series, and in many ways this is perhaps part of the reason Australia hasn’t really been paying attention to the format (given Aussies love a winner, but ignore anything otherwise).
Like many Aussie rugby (or winter football codes generally) fans, I am now suffering from that extended period called the “off season”, when I go cold turkey without the game. A-League, cricket, and the odd game of European rugby on Foxtel just don’t do it. Hell, I was watching the ANZC there at one stage to keep me going.
The odd article in the papers also kept me from flat lining, but it was also dispiriting to see many times more space devoted to rugby league when it was also in the off season. At times it was getting as much space as football which is in season! Luckily I don’t live in Melbourne with their off season AFL coverage…
Thus, while the concept of the Adelaide Sevens was bouncing around in my brain, I also considered whether rugby sevens might be something to stage in the off season to extend the exposure for union (when two of the three other major codes aren’t playing), build Sevens depth, but most importantly provide me with some local rugby to watch in the summer.
Yes, it is the warmer months, but the games are short, and I expect this wouldn’t be a problem. I was also reminded of John O’Neill’s comments that the Super 15 and Tri Nations program from 2011 on would ensure a longer rugby calendar for Australia through to November. Again, one game of the Wallabies every two weeks (after the club season is over) doesn’t really amount to much coverage John…
So, my thought was how about a limited domestic club Sevens program. A tournament could be staged in Sydney, Brisbane, and Canberra, with the clubs in each of those states or areas to compete for the chance to qualify for an end of season final to be held in conjunction with the IRB Sevens tournament (as I understand, they will be doing in the US leg in Las Vegas in February 2010).
Further, you could have the suburban and country clubs play a part, to give it some of the FA Cup feel of giants versus minnows. Perhaps with feeder tournaments, or zone/division champions in Fifteens qualifying to field a team.
Further, you could invite the leading clubs from other states, and Pacific Island nations, to compete as a way to foster the game there, and help develop. This would provide an international feel to what would otherwise be local comps. Invitational sides, such as Barbarians, Indigenous All Stars, etc, could also be involved to add spark. The old ARS sides might also compete, with NSW Country, Adelaide Black Falcons, etc, given the ARU couldn’t find the coin to keep the ARS going.
I did think about a more top tier comp with the state sides playing, but the limited number of teams, repetition, problems with the maximum numbers of games per season, and so forth seemed to create more problems than advantages.
Sydney could be staged at Concord, Brisbane at Ballymore, and Canberra at Viking Park. Each tournament would be over a weekend, although the gap between wouldn’t be so important given the same teams wouldn’t be competing (although I could see the attraction of giving clubs that just fell short at other rounds a “wild card” entry).
Of course, the aim would be to get TV coverage, either FTA or pay TV, to give the game greater exposure, even in a highlights package.
I wouldn’t expect it to rate the house down, or get huge crowds, but marketed well enough (something rugby seems to find a challenge in this country) I think it could do well in both departments, and provide a number of other bonuses for rugby as outlined above.
So, I look forward to the chance to cheer on my mighty Woodies against Uni, Old Ignatians, Suva, and the Silver Foxes at Concord sometime soon, and see the highlights on ABC2 or One HD.
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(32)
rugbyfuture said | December 29th 2009 @ 1:40am | Report comment
brilliant, i would see a tournament in every city feeding into a finals series, it would alleviate the funding though through private equity and the fact it can all be done in a few weekends and so on. I could actually see it being broadcast on one of the primary channels because of sevens directness with league (you might even open it up to all rugby code players).
lets not go too far and allow riverview boys in the mix
Cheap tickets, maybe a big festival outside the stadium and big marketing would be the key. but this is definitely a key to building excitement in rugby again, start little and go big.
ps go the woodies
Joh4Canberra said | December 29th 2009 @ 2:42am | Report comment
I’m for it!
Cheezel said | December 29th 2009 @ 6:32am | Report comment
Great Idea! Only if the top players were availale would it be a success. The problem is rugby players need an off-season. Rugby just needs the ARU to feed more news to the media like the other codes do. Then you would see a little more rugby in the papers.
Bazza said | December 29th 2009 @ 7:42am | Report comment
Brilliant ! – why not set up a 6-8 tournament competition and invite anyone and everyone to come – union or league – from oz, nz, south africa, pacific wherever. 16-24 teams per tournament – use good stadiums, get free to air TV involved and market it really well – may the best teams win ! Done properly, it’d be fantastic ! Its only got cricket (just avoid head to head competition in the cities Australia is playing), tennis (avoid the Australian Open) and soccer (no-one cares anyway) to beat. Outstanding !
Nick said | December 29th 2009 @ 8:43am | Report comment
Great concept. Why not play it at dusk/evening like 20/20 cricket.
James D said | December 29th 2009 @ 8:51am | Report comment
If they dont want to play in the Summer you could always have it as a curtain raiser for the S14/15 – I mean have the Waratahs Sevens team play the opener for the waratahs games against whomever the tahs are playing? (Eg Chiefs sevens team vs tahs sevens team before the chiefs v the tahs in the super 14/15) It would take care of logistics as you would only need to book an extra few rooms and an extra few seats. It could be a way to have the players warm up before a game or play previously injured players back into form. Also you could have them train with the main squad? Just a thought.
rugbyfuture said | December 29th 2009 @ 8:59am | Report comment
making it a secondary event would hinder the reason for the comp and make it unable to be played in the festival atmosphere sevens is renowned for
James D said | December 29th 2009 @ 9:05am | Report comment
I agree it will hinder the atmosphere that exists for International events i still think it would involve a tribalism (ACT vs NSW or NSW vs QLD) that would add to the atmosphere and make it unique. Also you think it wight bring a few thousand more through the gate as people will see themselves get more bang for their dollar. What do you mean hinder the reason for the comp? What is the reason? To play more sevens and give more players a go? There would still be international events? – I just think it is a big ask to have players play Super rugby and Club rugby(or internationals) and sevens all in a year.
rugbyfuture said | December 29th 2009 @ 9:17am | Report comment
attract more players and people to rugby via sevens, and sevens is only a weekend or two anyways,the players could afford to add an extra weekend to their roster.
Sam el Perro said | January 17th 2010 @ 10:22pm | Report comment
How will a 14 minute curtain raiser involving B-grade players get more people through the gate?
Sam el Perro said | January 17th 2010 @ 10:21pm | Report comment
The problem is that 14 minutes doesn’t make for much of a curtain raiser. Furthermore, the expense involved in flying that many extra players around for such a short period of time might ensure that there isn’t a sufficient return on investment.
spiro said | December 29th 2009 @ 9:04am | Report comment
This is a great idea, or perhaps better there is a great idea lurking in here. SevensRugby should become rugby equivalent of T20 cricket. Let’s hope the ARU can grab this idea and run with it like a Sevens player.
Roger said | December 29th 2009 @ 10:27am | Report comment
What about a Sevens Series where each weekend in the 5 weeks up to the season starting that they have a 2 day televised 16 team comp in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melb and Perth (apologies to Darwin, and Adelaide have World Sevens anyway)? Structure/ Points system would be same as World Sevens comp. I am sure they could have 15-a-side trials at night mid week anyway.
Each of S15 teams could send team and could invite strong Aussie club teams (esp locals to bring bigger crowds) and we could get a look at some new teams/players. Kiwis and pacific island teams regularly tour for sevens so they would come if prizemoney was good. So that would leave 5 x S15 teams (imagine the pool of death with only 4 pools), 5 x local teams and 6 x S15 kiwi and national pac island teams.
Given the games are short, heat wouldn’t be too much of a problem. The real big boys from the tight fives wouldnt be picked anyway. I assume due to workload that some of best players wouldnt be playing, but I am certain RUPA wouldn’t allow the extra work anyway with threats of injury and burnout. Oh well, we can only dream. Only option RUPA may accept would be for S15 teams to be mostly academy/club based (next best players could be on short terms sevens contract), and perhaps that S15 players could play a max of say 2 of the 5 weekends so spread the load.
Sam el Perro said | January 17th 2010 @ 10:24pm | Report comment
Who is going to televise this? Will this be extra money outside the SANZAR agreement? Will it, thus, be sufficient money to pay for a 16 team comp being held in different cities on different weekends?
Who Needs Melon said | December 29th 2009 @ 12:03pm | Report comment
I like this idea too.
Sorry to raise an idea that I’ve raised before but, with regards to funding a comp such as this, rather than pay each player/team/whatever a flat amount, it’s got to be incentive-based. Like a lottery, people will pay for the chance to earn something big. Whilst I’m not suggesting (outright) that each team should have to pay to enter and get nothing unless they win the whole thing, I am suggesting that if you play your cards right, this comp wouldn’t actually cost anyone an absolute fortune.
Getting a few well-known ex-players got involved at the start would obviously also be an enormous benefit – people would pay to play with or against them and for the chance simply to watch some old idols.
I think it would be a great recipe for fairytale stories – e.g. a bunch of young kids from the bush going all the way versus some semi-pros. Or some once-semi-famous old-timers giving it one last shot.
I also think it would be a great way to discover new talent and encourage those on the fringes to stick with it and have a go.
I hope I haven’t misinterpreted your message Bay35 and thanks for trying to keep the glimmer of rugby alive through the off season.
Yikes said | December 29th 2009 @ 12:27pm | Report comment
Nice idea Pablo, I like it.
Already the big 7s tournaments exist to give teams a test out before the season – the Hottest 7s in Darwin in Feb is very popular (and with $65,000 prizemoney why wouldn’t it be?), and there’s the Ella 7s in Coffs Harbour in early March.
But no reason why these couldn’t be extended into part of a larger tournament.
Siva Samoa said | December 30th 2009 @ 11:53am | Report comment
The Gold Coast 7’s is also getting very popular with many international teams taking part.
Sam el Perro said | January 18th 2010 @ 8:59pm | Report comment
Define “very popular” in the context of the Gold Coast 7s. The photo gallery on the official website doesn’t seem to indicate many people watching whatsoever.
http://gc7s.com/photo-gallery-2008/
As for places in the Cup, there is a real indication of the international flavour:
1st: Brisbane Fiji
2nd: Helensvale Hoggs
3rd: Nerang Bulls
Siva Samoa said | January 18th 2010 @ 9:26pm | Report comment
i was talking about the 2009 gold coast sevens held at the gold coast breakers rugby grounds. the ground was full and couldn’t handel the large crowds there on both days.
http://www.qru.com.au/library/news/2009/091103_gold_coast_7s_update,70291.html/section/62425
Sam el Perro said | January 19th 2010 @ 8:36am | Report comment
Thanks for that link to a QRU press release about the sevens tournament that clearly became vastly more international in scope in the space of 12 months. Or not, as they case may be when you actually read the content that you linked to. Furthermore, was this “very popular” event held at Robina? Carrara?
No.
At the Gold Coast Breakers home ground. So “very popular” that it isn’t even held at a sports stadium. While you’re going out on a limb here, Siva, do you want to tell us how many hundred people were at the GC7s? Here’s a link to info about the _park_ that hosts this very popular event: http://www.gcparks.com.au/park-details.aspx?park=1235
And here’s some YouTube footage of this very popular event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZiGqDyyRYo
I don’t mind promoting rugby, but dressing this up as some kind of meaningful international tournament is patently false.
E said | December 29th 2009 @ 2:04pm | Report comment
YES PLEASE!
Bay35Pablo said | December 29th 2009 @ 3:01pm | Report comment
I don’t see such a series involving many of the existing Super players. It would interfere with their post and pre season too much, and risk burn out. Of course if you had a player coming back from injury it might be good.
The idea was an additional level below Super 15, to get some exposure for club rugby, and their players. The reason for having the club teams in each city play is it reduces local travel costs to nil, and even for country sides it is easier.
E.g. Sydney Sevens.
12 Shute Shield teams
5 Suburban Rugby Club Division Champions (from 2009 would be Kings Old Boys, Lindfield, Hunters Hill, Rouse Hill, Manly Savers) or 5 First Grade Champions (from 2009 would be KOBs, Barker Old Boys, Merrylands, Rouse Hill & Manly Savers).
10 Country Zone 1st Grade Premiers – Avoca Beach, Pirates, Narromine, Lennox Heads, Tech Waratahs, Coffs Breakers, Old Bar Beach, St Alberts College, Wanderers (Newcastle), Coonamble
5 invitational teams – e.g. invite club champions from Fiji, Tonga & Samoa, an all star style team, and another
This would give 32 teams, for 8 x 4 team pools.
Gatesy said | December 29th 2009 @ 7:42pm | Report comment
A great idea. The available player pool is almost limitless. You could do it in pools or tiers, with some form of promotion/ relegation system. There could be eased restrictions on player transfers, and you would certainly encourage some of the former players to have a go, though 7’s in the heat of summer is most likely a young buck’s pursuit.
You could definitely run carnivals, festivals etc around them – even Beach 7’s tournaments etc. Imagine the Bondi Beach 7’s!!
Very TV friendly if you ask me.
damo said | December 30th 2009 @ 8:38am | Report comment
Great idea! Could give rugby 13 experienced players (aka ‘NRL players”) a chance to try the game in the off-season against some quality opposition. As well as off contract club rugby players looking for a chance to strut their stuff in front of Robbie’s army of volunteer selectors – us.
We need more rugby. We certainly need more rugby news.There was a sevens comp on fox a couple of weeks ago it was great to watch. It would be at least as interesting as English club soccer, golf or AFL off-field politics which occupy our screens at present.
I’ve said it before. Why don’t we have a game called rugby 5’s. based around scrums, rucks and mauls. I don’t know about being a spectator event but it would certainly build skills for tight forwards (whom I am told by my many ex-forward friends) are the ones who win games, anyway.
Sam el Perro said | January 17th 2010 @ 10:25pm | Report comment
Is getting more NRL players playing rugby really the answer? The ARU has spent a fair amount of the last decade pursuing this policy, and look where it got us.
netrug said | December 30th 2009 @ 11:15am | Report comment
International sevens were tried in Sydney in 1988 and 1989 during the summer. Although the 1988 was successful, interest dropped off in 1989 and was abandoned. Another reason was the crashing of the NSWRU. Maybe now is the time to renew the tournament. An international and a club series were held together.
On 3/4 January, at Punta del Este in Uruguay, an international and club sevens will be held. Then in 5 January at Mar del Plata in Argentina, the South American Sevens will be staged. Once again there will be two series, an international and local tournaments.
Austalia should not be left behind in the growing worldwide interest in Rugby Sevens.
Corey said | December 31st 2009 @ 9:16am | Report comment
I have been looking for a Sevens comp up in Brisbane, I am a league player, but have played some union but prefer the running in the sevens. It would be a great advertisement for the sport. Also, a contact sport in the summer would make it out on its own- no competition. And Sevens teams would be chosen on ability not code wars (i.e. League v Union).
rugbyfuture said | January 17th 2010 @ 8:34pm | Report comment
just a few days old but heres a full (slightly different) proposal
8 states and territories, 8 weekends, 18 teams.
each state is given a weekend, these unions then allocate which stadium (area or city) hosts that states sevens weekend for that year with high emphasis on development areas. rather than look at current clubs, form the super clubs which might eventually become part of the domestic competition. full advertising, marketing and coverage dedicated to the weekends. formulated on the world sevens series.
Foxy Loxy said | January 17th 2010 @ 9:02pm | Report comment
The problem with 7s is there is no emotional buy-in for the fans and the players. You win or lose, so what. It doesn’t mean anything. It can’t only have a chance of success as a one off tournament over one weekend. Maybe if you had a summer 7s involving every NRL club (16) and every Super Rugby 15 club.
I’d like to see a 7s of club rugby festival at ANZ Stadium. But by rugby I mean both codes. Get 40 club teams. Get games like St George against Stade Francais, or Waratahs vs Wigan, or Rebels vs Storm.
rugbyfuture said | January 17th 2010 @ 9:13pm | Report comment
to go by the 7’s tournament format it would have to be 48 clubs and go for 4 days probably, the problem with including the super 15 teams is the fact that they’re supposed to represent a state and so would not be good playing a proper club. the euro teams would never come down, they wouldn’t want to help southern hemisphere rugby, i like the idea of including some NRL clubs but old rugby and old league would both object, imagine phil “the extraordinary poet gus” gould’s write up of that! the IRFL and IRB simply wouldn’t allow it.
Foxy Loxy said | January 17th 2010 @ 9:24pm | Report comment
The league blokes and Euro clubs would love it if there is a decent $ reward. Plus imagine the grandstanding from either code if they beat the other.
i agree though with you re the Super 15 teams. As I posted in the Waratahs thread, I really think the ARU should push for the Reds and Waratahs to be replaced by new Sydney and Brisbane one city clubs.
rugbyfuture said | January 17th 2010 @ 9:31pm | Report comment
australian money means nothing to the euro clubs, league blokes….maybe
the only way that creating a club would work would be for the australian domestic competition to be formed and take hold, with the NPC, Currie Cup, Argentine zona campeteona, pacific rugby cup and it going into H cup style comp as others have said before, the Super 15 is a provincial competition whether we like it or not.