Could you play a Sevens style in fifteens?
Roar Pro
By klestical, 10 Feb 2010 The Crowd is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- robbie deans, Rugby Union, Sevens rugby, wallabies
After reading numerous articles regarding the Olympic Inclusion of Sevens, and recently watching parts of the NZI Sevens series, I began to wonder whether it would be possible to implement a “Sevens Rugby” style into the fifteen man game.
Many would argue that the Pacific Islands already play a similar game.
However, as the 7-man game improves and spreads globally, it will play an increasingly important role within the XV man game. The important role of Sevens has seen Robbie Deans state his intentions to use Sevens Players for the Wallabies, as he believes the game brings out “accountability” in players.
However, in terms of the actual style itself:
* Different styles of rugby include a Northern Hemisphere forward-oriented game, involving a greater emphasis on set-piece, and rolling mauls.
* The French play an off-load game very effectively.
* In the Southern Hemisphere, it is generally an counter-attack oriented game, where an attack can be generated from anywhere across the park.
But what would a Sevens-oriented style of XVs look like and could it work?
In Sevens, the players try to avoid being caught at the breakdown at all costs, meaning that sometimes a ball carrier will quite often run backwards before running sideways, or passing it along.
It would also be an off-load oriented game, as well, to try to keep the speed of the game up, as well as minimizing any breakdowns. There would be attacking from anywhere, even from within the tryline (watch Fiji Vs South Africa at NZI, as an example).
No doubt, there would have to be some changes to such a style. Many will argue the obvious – that in XVs there are 16 extra players on the park.
Maybe.
Though the better attacking teams could implement such a game plan in the second half – running backwards to draw in the tired forwards before spreading the ball wide.
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rugbyfuture said | February 10th 2010 @ 1:37am | Report comment
if that style of attack was implemented you would get so many penalties for players getting in the way, as the ball runner would have to run behind his team mates. but it could be brought in partially.
allblackfan said | February 10th 2010 @ 5:53am | Report comment
as stated, the Islanders play this style of rugby. It’s why they have more far more lossess than wins against the big boys of rugby.
The question has to be asked: do you want to watch a team that plays popular rugby but seldom wins or a team that can play any style and win most of the games. For too many years, I supported the former (Fiji) which is why I now support the latter (NZ).
Bruce Ross said | February 10th 2010 @ 6:21am | Report comment
“sometimes a ball carrier will quite often run backwards before running sideways, or passing it along. ”
The net result of which in a 15-man game would be that the team attempting to play this style would be forced back metres on each phase.
Sam Taulelei said | February 10th 2010 @ 6:53am | Report comment
In the early of years of Super rugby, the Highlanders played a style of game that closely resembled sevens ruigy where they would be unafraid to run backwards to break up the opposition defensive line to find and probe for gaps. You need the right kind of instinctive players to be effective because it is very unstructured and your support players need to have an idea of what’s going on and the support lines and angels to run.
One of the best tries I can remember from the Highlanders where they kept the ball alive and ran backwards was in their semifinal against the Stormers in SA in 1999. Jeff Wilson scored it eventually but even the commentators were struggling to keep count of how many hands the ball passed through before they scored.
So yes it is possible but it’s not for every team.
Sam Taulelei said | February 10th 2010 @ 6:54am | Report comment
Damn not being able to edit your comments and no spellchecker.
Siva Samoa said | February 10th 2010 @ 7:49am | Report comment
the only way that can happen if you have new images kids rugby rules where you have to get rid or throw the ball to one of your team member when your tackle or about to be tackle.
simon said | February 10th 2010 @ 8:15pm | Report comment
It all has to do with the amount of space on the field. Rugby union 13′s should do it. Teams would chance their arm more because they know they can score more tries if they give it a go
MarkR said | February 11th 2010 @ 10:17am | Report comment
Fiji with their 7s strength were renowed for their ‘basketball’ style of play in the 70s & 80s, unfortuntealy thir lack of an organised defence & deficiencies in the set piece saw them losing continually. Also the big gap in 7s vs 15s used to be the ball handling skills in 7s were light years aheads of 15s. In the 70s & 80s you were lucky to find a prop/lock who could throw a good pass more than 5 metres. That’s no longer the case as the forward pack are now expected to have the ball skills of backs.