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.
Sam el Perro
Roar Pro
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.
Siva Samoa
Guest
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
Roar Pro
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
Sam el Perro
Roar Pro
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.
Sam el Perro
Roar Pro
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?
Sam el Perro
Roar Pro
How will a 14 minute curtain raiser involving B-grade players get more people through the gate?
Sam el Perro
Roar Pro
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.
rugbyfuture
Roar Guru
australian money means nothing to the euro clubs, league blokes....maybe :-P 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.
Foxy Loxy
Guest
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
Roar Guru
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
Guest
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
Roar Guru
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.
Bam Bam
Roar Guru
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).
Siva Samoa
Guest
The Gold Coast 7's is also getting very popular with many international teams taking part.
netrug
Guest
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.
damo
Guest
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.
Gatesy
Guest
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.
Bay35Pablo
Roar Guru
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.
E
Guest
YES PLEASE!
Yikes
Guest
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.