The rugby season finished on near a perfect note, with the Aussie sevens women taking out back-to-back Dubai tournaments and the men runner-up to the South Africa Blitzbok juggernaut in a close match.
However, just as one would hope a great story or two could be spread all about rugby success, the lead story is speculation about the Australian women’s sevens coach, John Manenti, being replaced by Tim Walsh, the current men’s (and former women’s) coach.
But put that to one side.
After a long lay-off, both squads were finally able to hit the field and play some real matches. There was more than a question or two as to how they would perform, with a big turn-over of players and with the teams made up of youngsters.
The outcome was brilliant, two firsts by the women, and a fifth and second for the men.
So what were the takeaways?
Caslick is seriously outstanding
Rugby AU needs to use Charlotte Caslick and her highlights to promote rugby. She is a genuine star with international recognition.
Her performance and workrate in the final was remarkable – if you have not watched it, you should.
In both tournaments she was ranked the impact player of the tournament based on the tackles, offloads, carries and line-breaks, she was player of the final in the first tournament, and was selected in both dream teams.
Not one to often use hyperbole, there is nothing she cannot do.
Charlotte Caslick (Karen Watson)
As a side issue, reflecting on the recent Matildas games and the WBBL finals, when sports promote their stars, fans – especially kids – follow star players. Caslick should be given a greater profile. She will not only go down as an all-time great player, her interviews provide honest insights, plus she is highly competitive (and holds a grudge).
Youth delivered
There have been questions asked about the sevens program post-Olympics, with a review and the coaches having to reapply for their roles. However, most nations would be pretty happy with these results over the last two weeks.
Maybe the postponement of the Olympics impacted planning and development, but they since identified new talent, selected it and coached it to success.
The confidence of youth in both teams has been on show, with many games over the last fortnight where I had to remind myself that some players were only 19 or 20 – Dietrich Roache, Corey Toole and Ben Dowling were standouts.
For the women, Madison Ashby, Faith Nathan and Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea became regular starters, playing way above their age and experience. The biggest concern will be keeping the players, pretty sure the NRLW teams will have watched these tournaments closely.
Skills and fitness are better than ever
Across the board, the skills and fitness of both teams have increased significantly.
As a consequence, both teams consistently played and executed at pace. With higher levels of fitness they were able to stick to their structures and not fall off tackles late in the game. It was also noticeable that almost all the players can draw and pass, and throw an accurate long pass.
They all just seemed to be more skilful, fitter, faster and stronger.
Defence is now a strength
Australian teams have not been characterised by consistently strong defence, but it has stepped up more than a notch in both squads.
Apart from an improvement in technique, there seemed to be an increased desperation – and attitude is the key – which held throughout each game.
Australia’s women in particular are now aggressive tacklers and aggressive over the ball. Nathan, Ashby, Dick and Lefau-Fakaosilea are hitting harder than I have seen by an Australian women’s team. Watching them you were just confident they were going to make the tackle and it would be dominant.
So is it all peaches and cream? In short, no. Sevens rugby is a bit like T20 cricket, in that it requires specialised skills, is cut throat and a game can turn on a dime.
The recent success does not guarantee future success, but it is definitely looking better than it did a couple of weeks ago.
Even though it is a truncated World Series and there were fewer teams in these first two tournaments, it has been a while since we have had both teams deliver such quality performances.
These performance will instil a degree of confidence that they can carry through in the rest of the tournaments.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Hahaha Chook, so remember you texting me when I was in HK, Lol I was so interested in the game I was meant to be watching that I can still remember those ' dings' on my mobile. Ffs Mate I do usually turn the friggin thing off lol. :laughing: :laughing:
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Hey World try getting in amongst that level, as I did voluntarily many years ago. In that I'm referring to RA. Like Rugby House, at the Quay, in those days, was like talking to brick walls, when trying to get motivation & proposals across, for the betterment of the game. Mind you I did enjoy many of those harbour cruises, Top Hotel dining & many receptions we were all involved in.
The World in Union
Roar Rookie
True Muz, it's only in Australia but that's why RA should leverage off this differentiator as a strategy driver. It takes a significant international event like the Olympics to give a reality check to the 80% of the country who are supporting what they think are the best codes in the world. The Olympics could be an opportunity for them to care about an international sport that they can relate to a lot easier than rugby 15s and even many other Olympic sports. By the way, most if not all sports have their own world championship outside the Olympics but it's still meaningful to compete at the Olympics. Hope 7s is always there. The sport that I find less interesting at the Olympics is tennis - love watching the Aussie Open and other grand slams but don't find it as exciting watching tennis at the Olympics.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep true about rugby, but it's only here in Australia, that this is happening, mate.
The World in Union
Roar Rookie
George, I absolutely agree that Caslick is to women's 7s what Hooper is to men's 15s. I suspect Caslick is happy not being captain, mainly because she doesn't seem that comfortable in front of the mic in the way a captain should be so she probably doesn't want that pressure. I'm sure she gets on well with Hayes so it's actually a good thing to spread the team leadership role across Caslick and Hayes rather than risk Caslick as a single point of focus for everything.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Agree there is so much upside - It would be great if this could happen, very proactive opportunity. Unfortunately I don't think Rugby AU has the staff resources or $$ resources to even think about it, let alone try and implement it. I think in Brittany Mitchell's ESPN article she indicated the AON Uni 7s competition maybe cancelled. So I don't think Rugby AU is seriously focusing on 7s. Also I don't think League would want to be involved they are lobbying to get 9s into the Brisbane Olympics. Despite that negative sentiment, there is still a lot Rugby AU could be doing to raise the profile of 7s, if they wanted to. I think it is bizarre that after the women have won 2 Tournaments that Rugby AU have not tried to roll out some of the women to do media interviews this week.
George Costanzo
Guest
Akin to Michael Hooper, Caslick directs the team around the paddock and leads from the front. Her work ethic is phenomenal, and she’s exceptional with ball in hand. She has inspired so many girls to become rugby players, even within her own team. She is the face of Women’s Rugby 7’s in Australia, if not around the globe. In her down time she is out and about at schools and clubs promoting the game. Rugby Australia (and the coaching staff) have done the sport and her team an injustice by not naming her Captain, she seems to be the Captain on the paddock. Makes absolutely no sense!
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Fair enough, we can all have different opinions.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Actually I said to my son during the Aust v Ireland men's game it is amazing how stressful a close 7s game is.
ClassAct
Guest
You Go Go Girls :silly: Girl Power :laughing: Stop bleeding funding from the men’s game. I’m all for equality but heavy contact sports such as rugby are inappropriate. Stick to touch please
The World in Union
Roar Rookie
I actually think Sevens has the potential to be a strategic weapon to turn the tide in Australian schools where rugby is getting weaker and weaker. While many schools have no interest in introducing rugby to an already full sports portfolio (and may even have thrown rugby out!), they are more likely to see Sevens as complementary to other school sports. I think it would be acceptable to many league, AFL and athletics participants to also participate in Sevens. Particularly if it is linked to the Olympics, like if a program was launched called “Pathway to Olympics 2028 Los Angeles – Schools Rugby 7s Competition”. If 10 non-rugby schools signed up in year one then with a bit of positive publicity it could grow dramatically from there. It would be amazing to see 9/Stan publicising a Schools Rugby Sevens Competition and saying that the competition had uncovered incredible talent that would set Australia up for success at the 2028 Los Angeles and 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Thanks, someone has to. It’s a circular issue no one is aware of it because it doesn’t get the coverage, it doesn’t get the coverage because not many people are aware of it. I understand some of the issues. I imagine from a promoting perspective Stan can’t promote 7s or use highlights etc as they don’t have the rights, at the same time they probably don’t want to promote 7s as they don’t have the rights to it. The bit I don’t understand is why Rugby AU doesn’t promote it more and promote how people can watch it. Its currently free to stream through youtube. Similarly the Super Rugby clubs don’t promote it, they should be direct emailing their members/ email list when it is on. It seems to me with both teams full of youngsters there is an opportunity to leverage the profile of rugby – it seems a no brainer.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Ok – I assume Stan can’t provide highlights as they didn’t purchase the broadcast rights from World Rugby, no doubt a financial decision. But World Rugby provided it all for free through streaming. I watched it all on youtube on my smart TV and laptop. If still keen to watch it, there are highlights, full Days 1 & 2 available. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=world+rugby+sevens I understand World Rugby’s facebook page had. Also there is the HSBC 7s app to download on your phone or ipad – I know a few people used that. With the App you can also set up notifications so you know when Australia is about to play. Its not as simple as a TV channel but it isn’t too complicated and I’m no technology person
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
Cheers for the article Hugh. I love the excitement and intensity of watching 7's. One thing rugby has over any code is that it's probably the only game that you can genuinely enjoy without having to have a crowd amp it up. Its the same with 15's too. e.g. NZ's North v South game last year.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Muzzo, Just provided this above to Felix too Ok – I assume Stan can’t provide highlights as they didn’t purchase the broadcast rights from World Rugby, no doubt a financial decision. But World Rugby provided it all for free through streaming. I watched it all on youtube on my smart TV and laptop. If still keen to watch it, there are highlights, full Days 1 & 2 available. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=world+rugby+sevens I understand World Rugby’s facebook page had. Also there is the HSBC 7s app to download on your phone or ipad – I know a few people used that. With the App you can also set up notifications so you know when Australia is about to play. Its not as simple as a TV channel but it isn’t too complicated and I’m no technology person
Machooka
Roar Guru
Thanks Hugh... love your work :thumbup:
The World in Union
Roar Rookie
Good on ya for promoting Sevens Hugh, I find it hugely entertaining but it's puzzling that there isn't more interest in the code, as can be seen by the low number of comments on this article, and I didn't see any TV news coverage on Sunday despite the Aussie success. Definitely needs more marketing muscle locally and internationally. Not sure about World Rugby's broadcast revenue strategy when the stream is available for free on Youtube - no wonder Stan didn't pay for the rights. Sevens has the potential to be a world game like soccer - the USA is already a force and the improvement in other emerging nations like Spain, Russia and Brazil is great to see.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
I actually like the 7s in the Olympics but I think the main reason is that it provides a point of difference with NRL/AFL. This is critical as rugby is the poor relative compared to NRL/AFL, we don't have the big $$$$, so need the Comm Games/ Olympic games to help attract/ keep players In reality I hope the men can stay in the top 3-4, win a Tournament from time to time, the competition from NRL/AFL & Super Rugby makes it very difficult to get the best of the best in terms of players. And yes the pandemic has impacted international sport in many ways, but a win is a win. I think the Reds enjoyed their Super Rugby AU win this year. So am happy for the joy the women have got out the last 2 weeks.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
As one of the commentators said they believe she is playing better now than she ever has. Agree important not to go over the top and certainly recognise NZ weren’t there. But you have to celebrate the wins when you get them, just like the Reds did in Super Rugby AU. With a new bunch of youngsters it is great for confidence to get a few wins. With no footy over the last 2 weeks why not fly the rugby flag. It’s a tough gig competing with NRL/AFL. Similarly the next round starts 21 Jan, why not get as many good rugby stories out as you can. Both the men's & women's 7s program will always find it tough because there is so much competition for players ie NRL/AFL. I read today some of the Nth Beaches girls have League on their agenda at some stage.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Interesting read Hugh, & yes I would prefer it not being an Olympic Sport, as it's the World Series title that counts. Like the Australian women have, at least won a Series, where after all their years of being there, the men have not. They have won the odd tournament, but never a Series title. From memory, I think the Seven's AB's ( mens ) have won around 12 titles, & the Black Fern Seven's ( women ) either 3 or 4, titles. So, the Aussie women this year do look good, in taking out the chocolates. As I've mentioned before, ATM, all international sport is being restricted due to the pandemic, in which many fail to acknowledge.