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Only four years to go. Four years until the most important development in rugby since the game turned professional.
The Rugby World Cup and professionalism changed the face of the game dramatically. The RWC has shown the game to people that may have never watched rugby before and professionalism has given a career path for the people that play it.
The Olympics, though, can spread the game much further. The global audience and the funding for the sport that goes with being in the Olympic family are considerable advantages for any sport.
Sevens is also a lot less technical and much more open. It is easier for people to pick up and play so the opportunity for growth is amazing. 15s and 7s are quite different games and I enjoy both of them.
However, will those benefits transfer into the main form of the game?
I believe there is a danger that the two games will become so separated that rugby in the Olympics may not benefit the 15’s game at all.
It could be that 7s end up being the truly global sport, which is the wish of anyone involved with 15s rugby.
I think both games can benefit from the Olympics, but by running parallel competitions. Super Rugby would have the super sevens running at the same time.
When the Chiefs play the Reds in Super Rugby, the Chiefs 7s team play the Reds 7s team. As they are short games they could play one game before and one during the half time break of the Super Rugby game.
This would bring the games closer together and increase the number of 7s athletes for the Olympics.
It would also get more people into 7s.
It would also be a great way to give the younger new talent a pathway into the Super Rugby teams.
It could also bring more advertising dollars. This sort of thing could happen in the Avia championship, the Top 14 and any other competition at any level. The potential could be huge.
I’m no accountant but surely it wouldn’t add to much cost to the teams and the extra advertising dollars that it brings in should more than offset additional costs.
I’m keen to see something like this happen.
Over to you, Roarers? Does anyone else have any idea’s to bring 15s and 7s closer together and make them one family instead of separate entities?
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.