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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.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.