Olympic credibility takes another pounding

Keith, read Lords of teh Rings by Jennings....you night find that Steffy is more 'on the money' than you realise, & that it's not the 'money' you originally assumed his comments to be about.

A different perspective Shasan.Thanks. PS I once saw Campo sit on the FIji reserves bench one year Australia were eliminated and Fiji had a few iplayers injured. Campo was not given a run.

Onside, if youve been to HK and Adeladie recently, then you ain't seen nothing yet. We have not seen the best players play sevens since around 1997, when professionalism kicked in and prevented them from turning out on the circuit, and leaving the field to players one rank below. Don't buy into the argument that there is a specialist type of player. There are a few like that who are sheer genius in 7s and average 15s players, such as Waisale Serevi, but good 15s players of a certain type will be a good 7s players if they have the right skills set. For example, South Africa won the IRB circuit this year and Wales won the World Cup, and while both those teams were good and played decent sevens I know who i would put my money on if they were to play against an SA 7 of say: Props: Juan Smith, Spies Hooker: Brussou or Du Plessis Scrumhalf: Du Preez Backs: Ruaan Pienaar, Adi Jacobs/Jean De Villiers, Bryan Habana That's is what the Olympics will deliver: the best players playing 7s again. And that, if you've watched Campo, Shelford, Brooke, Lomu, Horan, Cullen in full flow in 7s, is something definitely worth waiting for.

The rugby 7s will be played in one stadium, probably over 3 full days. It will become the most sought-after ticket after the usual athletics and swimming events. If nothing else, all 7s fans will flock to the olympics just for that event. I know I will be there.

I'm of the opinion that the Olympics should stick to "Citius, Altius, Fortius" and let the team (and stick) sports do their own thing, as they seem perfectly capable of doing. But, in the real world, the Olympics has long ceased living up to it's ideals so, Rugby 7s, why not? It seems to have evolved into a different game from 15s anyway, so Olympic gold will become the pinnacle for that version, whilst the World Cup keeps its place for 15s. I will still probably watch the Olympics mainly to see who is swiftest, highest and strongest, however.

7s is played most places there are 15s comps and many places where it is not. If there isn't a tournament in your area it's simple, get off your posterior and organise one!

jamie, the olympics is only the pinnacle once every 4 years. in the meantime, other pinnacles appear. rugby 7's is a carnival atmosphere and a celebration, just like the olympics itself. golf, hmmm, im not sure. Rugby is a good fit. Why is Soccer part of the olympics, because, using your logic, the soccer world cup is the pinnacle......... or the premier league title or the euro cup

I think you will find that whatever proposal FIFA puts forward the IOC will accept as Football both mens and womens attracts the biggest crowds overall. Even in the USA it still had big numbers. I think in rugby 7's case they can play it in one stadium, but they have to ensure that they sort of drag it out a bit. You could finish this tournament in the blink of an eye and people wont even know it was on. You want to keep people engaged in it for as long as possible. I guess from an expansion point of view rugby would hope Chicago gets the nod. With a large audience to aim at, it could make a small impact.

Shasan,Wally James et al Didnt read too good did it,my 'not even played as a sport'.I expected some backlash and should have qualified it I have been to HK sevens a three times.Loved it.Watched Adelaide sevens on TV, that looks a bit more laid back,,a reality check for players after Hong Kong the previous week.I think Sydney would be a better sevens location,on a rugby ground ,supported by a larger rugby population,not on one of the largest cricket grounds in Australia.But I digress.What I meant by 'not played as a sport', is the lack or at least paucity of competitions. I had no idea Waringah had something going,but there is nothing happening up my way and its a sollid rugby area.I am not aware of any sort of national comp,and that would be easier to organise than a full blown rugby comp.So my point is ,rugby sevens in Australia is pretty much invisible. For sevens enthusiasts,maybe that will change.And Shasan,thanks for the heads up ,I will indeed do a bit more research and keep an eye out for it. I love Adelaide Wally James. Aint too many wineries around Honkers are there mate. And it aint Stellenbosch.

haha yeah the IOC or FIFA. Pretty poor example as there are more Catholics than watchers for all but possibly one sport.

Shahsan I have been to the Sevens in Adelaide for the last two years. Better each year. Marginally less atmosphere as Hong Kong (however last I was there was the last year of the old stadium) - still, a fabulous celebration of Rugby. Fast, open and skillful play on the paddock - good restaurants and pubs off it. Wonderful spectator support and interaction and much cheaper than Hong Kong. Highly recommended. It will be a very good hit out for any Olympic hopefuls Cheers Wally

Onside, look out for the Adelaide Sevens played around April/May each year as part of the IRB 7s circuit. It gets a good crowd in a town not known for its rugby following. There are also smaller events such as the Warringah sevens, held at club level. "How does a game that my knowledge is not even played as a sport , get a berth at the Olympics." One of the most ignorant statements yet on this forum. Go do some research.

So because the IOC might let in rugby they are one of the "most corrupt organisations in the world"? Nothing to do with the fact that rugby is a pretty popular sport in its own right? Are you bitter as well as twisted?

John Ryan Sour grapes mate. Get over it. It's now a real possiblity.

The IOC is possibly one of the most corrupt organizations in the world,all they are interested in is looking after the IOC, bribes anyone,they look after themselves 1st 2nd and 3rd if you pay the IOC enough they would include a genuflecting completion,as there are more Catholics than RU watchers,give me a break.

And of course rugby trolls dont go on other forums and do the same thing do they

Wishful thinking. Umm. No it is already working. Africa and Asia are proof. The two regions where the shoeter version of the game is played more widely than anywhere else. Ironically the two continents with the greatest growth rates in paricipation.

Onside I don't know. Hopefully it will keep the Plate and Bowl format. The top four would likely play for the major prizes. You can expect to see Women's 7's at the Olypmics because the Women's game has been coupled together with the Men's. Their is already a from of disabled Rugby. Also known as Murderball. Wheelchair Rugby is played at the Paralympics. There are only something like 5 or 6 players on court at the one time, shortening it would be silly. Mate, no one 7's competition come to mind but there are literally hundreds worldwide each year. Plus there is this little thing called the IRB World Sevens Series. They seem to take that pretty seriously.

Will the Olympic format be the same as current sevens,The Cup,The Plate and Bowl. Top tier play for Gold, Second group play for Silver, and Third group play for Bronze. The appeal of the Sevens is less talented countries get to strut their stuff in the finals. Or will this change in the Olympics so the powerhouse nations get to hog all the glory. Can we expect to see womens sevens and then later even disabled sevens.The only sport regularly played in Australia that in anyway resembles sevens is touch football. The game is very popular.Its played across all age groups and also played in schools . I am not aware of any sevens competitions in Australia, (are there any?).How does a game that my knowledge is not even played as a sport , get a berth at the Olympics. I keep reading opinions about how sevens rugby will amplify interest in rugby proper. This is surely wishfull thinking.Blue sky.A bit like saying twenty/20 will increase Test match attendances.Or showjumping will get more people to watch the Grand National

Pip It will be interesting then who blinks first - the IOC or FIFA - when Blatter formally put his proposal on the table that football's participation in future Olympics is drawn from the qualifiers for the previous year's Under 20 World Cup - making the Olympics in effect an Under 21 tournament - without any top European club professionals participating - so that the Lionel Messi situation of playing for Argentina at the Beijing Olympics against the wishes for his club won't happen again.