Fiji had 12 super-talented sevens players, which is why they left out Jarryd Hayne to win Olympic gold.
Not that Hayne isn’t talented – far from it.
But for Hayne to make the Rio sevens, a super-talented Fijian would have missed out – and there would have been no justice in that.
» Sevens live blog
» Final report and sevens medallists
Fiji were simply awesome in their 43-7 demolition of Great Britain in the gold medal game. The silver medallists were lucky to get to seven, so comprehensively did Fiji do a job on them.
They play sevens like no other country – they are very, very quick, they play what’s in front of them better than any other nation, and they tackle as though their life depends on it.
Jarryd Hayne would be a top sevens player, but not with Fiji.
He made a calculated punt, putting all his eggs in the wrong basket.
Had he chosen the Australian sevens team, he would have been first picked, and in the process automatically opened the door to Wallaby selection and the extra dollars available over the Waratahs.
Pity about that, because Hayne would have added genuine talent to an Australian sevens roster that was always undermanned and over-rated by the media. Hayne’s presence would have lifted Cameron Clark and Tom Lucas, two triers who kept running out of support.
That’s why the Australian men finished eighth, in keeping with their ability.
In short, the Australian men were but a shadow of the Australian women, who did a Fiji job on their opponents.
Sevens was a magnificent addition to the Olympic Games, but only the way Fiji in the men, and Australia in the women, play the game.
It’s exhilarating, and the new benchmark. Long may that be the case.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
How full the stands were has more to do with the cost of tickets for Brazilians than anything else. It doesn't relate to the Olympics' global impact or stature.
ClarkeG
Guest
Regards fitness - When the team was announced Ryan spoke about their training camp which included plenty of work on the sand dunes and where they were put through the equivalent of one tournament per day over a 3 day period.
CUW
Guest
on another note ,has Ben Ryan coached Fiji for last time? http://www.planetrugby.com/news/ryan-reflects-on-olympic-success/
CUW
Guest
they were very good singers too, to sing like that in perfect harmony (though not in pitch but then :) ) after a gruelling 20 minutes out of breath. just showed how fit they are :D http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-08-12/olympic-rugby-sevens-gold-medal-winners-sing-beautiful-fiji-hymn-in-celebration
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Well the crowds watching the Olympics were hardly packed like sardines. But it's a pretty story so please tell it. I suggest the world Cup by far the only thing that matters. Ardie Savea thought so much of a potential gold medal he sidestepped them altogether.
Let The One King Rule
Guest
Duecer I lived in NA until 2015, and Hayne actually managed to snag headlines in the weeks leading up to his selection for SF. I'd say more than a few Americans know of him.
soapit
Guest
good on him.
soapit
Guest
curiosity but dont know his name? regardless even if its not many thats a lot more than zero which is where an other union or league player (outside lomu perhaps) would be at
Akari
Roar Rookie
Indeed and humble winners too. I was impressed with the respect they paid Princes Anne and I am not a monarchist.
duecer
Guest
Think you've succumbed to the Australian media hype - don't think that many people in the US would know his name - didn't make much of a mark, more a curiosity.
Buk
Guest
Fantastic to see the Fijians win, and declare a national holiday ! Been trying to talk my boss into that sort of thing for years :)
Akari
Roar Rookie
and the US, NZ plus the South Pacific Islands, Gavin... I reckon a lot more people will recognise him outside of Australia compared to any other Oz rugby union (apart from a few, eg, Pocock, Gregan) and league players.
Akari
Roar Rookie
The quota system won't apply if Hayne has a Fijian passport.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Maybe Boz. The fact that Andy Friend was dismissive of the Hayne Plane suggests to me that he might have expressed an interest in playing for Oz 7s.
ClarkeG
Guest
Not entirely absurd considering he did not make the Fiji team.
Don
Roar Rookie
Gill, McMahon and Kuridrani have all been in the sevens set ups before. Gill won silver at the 2010 comm games and both he and McMahon won bronze in 2014. I agree most 15s players won't make good sevens players. But still, there are very good 15s players that are also very good sevens players.
Gavin
Guest
Yes he is world famous in NSW and Queensland!
Brian
Guest
Wallaby players do not necessarily become the best sevens players. So forget about Kurtley, McMahon / Gill, Hooper, Kuridrani etc. They need all the time they have to learn the 15 aside game first!
John
Guest
You both raise interesting viewpoints. I am a Parra fan living in the US. Born and raised in Sydney but moved away a few years back and just haven't returned. Love Australia and my Eels but regarding Hayne I don't know what makes him tick. I don't know why he walked away from the 49ers but id be curious to know. The whole Fiji 7s sideshow strikes me as odd. Just odd. Beyond that he was looking to return to a professional team - it is his profession after all - and the Titans made an offer he accepted. The rest is noise. Do I wish he was an Eel today? I'm not sure - they finally had success on the paddock only to shoot themselves in the foot. Why would Hayne return to the Eels under these circumstances. I feel for someone like Peats - I wonder if the Foran issues had come up sooner whether Peats might still be there. We will probably never know.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Hayne would have played if he'd thought of taking part in the whole season rather than arriving at the last minute. Those who pretend that any players are better than him are utterly wrong. He's probably the best strike runner in either code of rugby over the past decade. Not that Fiji needed him, but the idea that he wouldn't be up to the cut is absurd. One thing I can see is top league players moving to play rugby in France, and playing the 7s season in order to join Fiji for the Olympics i.e. Semi Radadra, Tuqiris, Haynes etc....probably also playing for Fiji in the RWC. It could well be that Olympic 7s is a bigger draw than the RWC.................................