Too often on The Roar we are negative, and that includes me. So following the Waratahs lead from Friday night, here’s something positive. Last weekend I had the pleasure, for the second year running, to attend the Cowra 10s – Australia’s oldest 10s tournament.
The beauty of events like Cowra is that it embraces everything great about rugby. The physical contest, the silky skills and of course the social side.
The beauty of this event is you have players of all levels participating.
From Shute Shield 1st graders all the way down to country town colts teams. Teams who come to win, and teams who use football as an excuse to sample the beer in someone else’s town.
Never has that kid I saw on the wing from the Young Yabbies seen a Sydney 1st Grade winger, let alone play against one – I bet he learnt a few things.
Never have some Sydney players spoken to some blokes who travel 4 hours for a game and have a camel named Bruce living on their football ground. I could go on.
Well done to those organising the Cowra 10s and other similar events. You enrich all those who turn up.
So next time you’ve had enough of the clowns at Fort Fumble, or are upset at the way your team is playing and are thinking of turning your back on the 15 man game, jump in the car and make a weekend of a Cowra-type event and you’ll quickly be reminded of why you initially fell in love with Rugby.
JohnB
Guest
Had never seen 10's before going to live in Asia - much more enjoyable and interesting than 7's from the point of view of someone who greatly prefers 15 a side to 7's. There are various 10's tournaments around SE Asia - others I've played in/know of are in Bankgok, Vientiane, Siem Reap and Angeles City (Manilla). As in Cowra, standards vary. If you can raise the dosh, well worth considering as a club pre- or post-season tour.
AndyS
Guest
Who knows, one day perhaps. Certainly the Cape Town Tens look a blast, and they are only in their second year - http://www.capetowntens.com/
Shahsan
Guest
I played in the first HK 10s and the 10th anniversary one. Great tournament which mixes social teams and fairly high level ones too. I remember the likes of Clive Woodward, Graham Price and Mickey Skinner playing. And a great warmup event to the HK 7s. I think 10s would be a bigger threat to the global game -- that is, outside the big 8 or so countries -- than 7s is, because it is a game not just for the fast, pretty boys but the fatties as well, while being very open and conducive to flair and running rugby. It gives a glimpse to what rugby union would be like if it ever became a game with fewer players on each side. That's why the IRB will never support it.
JB
Guest
The first I saw 10s was actually in Hong Kong with their 10s tournament the week leading up to the 7s. It has the benefits of having a bit more structure (ie a lot more structure). As Shahsan points out both forwards and backs can be involved, but it also has the space so is a lot more open game. A pity the powers that be can't acknowledge that - an international 10s tour (rather than 7s) would really promote rugby well (but I guess the extra squad numbers would upset the bean counters.....)
Shahsan
Guest
Unfortunately, while 10s would appeal both to backs and forwards, the game has not caught on as much as 7s has. Not sure why, could be that 10s is a low-profile format invented in Malaysia, hardly one of the big guns of world rugby, while 7s had its beginnings in Scotland and gained poplarity in Hong Kong, one of the Empire's prized outposts.
cuzybro
Roar Rookie
sounds like rugby was the winner and thats all that counts
mitzter
Guest
yes always loved 10s (you can actually play the game a few different ways) and was somewhat disappointed that the olympics will be 7s, the irb and the ioc never seemed to consider 10s (I don't know if 7s is the best instrument for showing and creating interest in 15s)
Brett McKay
Guest
great stuff Grimmace...
JB
Guest
Grimmace, Well spoken, couldn't agree more! As someone who has attended a couple of Cowra 10s (but unfortunately not for a few years) I can concur with your sentiments. It really does show the best things about rugby! And there should be more 10s - get rid of 7s!! 10s is much better. Cheers John