Aussie women's sevens reach Spain semis, set record win streak

Agree Hugh, 7s has wide range of supporters. It is an integral part of the game, the skill level and commitment is something to admire. 7s is vital long term to Rugby overall, something that is lost on many.

some Roarers who don’t like 7s would say to the Government no thanks it’s a waste of $$ I'd go further than this and say that traditional rugby supporters think that any money spent on non-traditional rugby (7s and women's being the main examples) is misdirected and should go towards traditional rugby. By definition traditionalists don't like change :shocked:

Agree, if you don’t like it why negatively comment on it. As I said to madkiwi, you don’t have to like 7s but for rugby you should support it. Also the 7s program receives a couple of million a year funding from the Government as it is an Olympic sport what a great opportunity. It appears that some Roarers who don’t like 7s would say to the Government no thanks it’s a waste of $$ - just odd.

Rugby 7s is part of the rugby community & an important one at grass roots level especially for girls/women. What I don’t understand you might not be interested in 7s but you must recognise its value if for nothing else it is developing rugby fans. Rugby needs as many fans as it can get. So when I see people bagging 7s I think you really are not interested in rugby long term.

Fair enough, I was going off a comment yesterday by another South African who said "It’s also apparent that little money or effort is put into the woman’s game . That also has a cultural background and a real mindset change is needed here." I guess I focused on "cultural background" rather than "money or effort".

Not really, Women is SA play other sport, traditionally not rugby, but it is growing.

I'm guessing for the same reason as South Africa - traditional male dominated cultures where women are meant to get married rather than develop a career in professional sport. But it's already changing, as can be seen with the Fiji women's 7s who have improved in leaps and bounds over the last few years. The talent is definitely there.

Totally agree! These players give their all for the code, we all need to appreciate their achievements and abilities, they are also looking for a path to the Wallabies or Wallaroos.

:thumbup: If people don't enjoy 7s, they can still support the concept without being a fan :thumbup:

:laughing: I am sitting on the fence on that one jeznez :stoked:

7s started it. They excluded the tight 5!

TWiN, I totally agree. People do not know how much 7s means to the players, and the fans that support it. If Rugby supporters are genuine about Rugby being a Community then why are they not supporting 7s?

It is probably reflective of The Roar readership which is pretty ‘traditional’ & not supportive of 7s and women’s rugby which is fine. Couldn't agree more Hugh! Roar readership is very traditional and generally negative towards 7s, women's rugby and even professionalism (including Super Rugby). Definitely too much negativity, like why bother making comments on a 7s article if they don't enjoy 7s? It's almost like traditionalists feel they have a duty to spoil anything that isn't traditional. C'mon traditionalists, just let the silent majority enjoy modern innovations because that's where the growth lies :thumbup:

You are right Hugh, 7s will always play apart in Rugby and so it should. It is another pathway to the 15 aside game, and as you say it is in the Olympics! If Aussie win Gold how many non supporters will jump up and say that they love the game? Is 7s not part of the Rugby Community? If the fans have no interest then RA will never promote the game, and it does need promoting and not just in OZ.

RR, I did have interest in it. Admittedly a few years back, before and after Christian Cullen ripped it :happy:

Well seeing the Russian girls stopped the winning run, these sort of results can be expected during these CoviD times. The World Series, both women's & men's are both with out most of the quality teams that play in this annual series, due to this. There will, I'm sure be better times ahead, once this pandemic, is over or fully under control.

The women play to their strengths which is a possession game and avoid collision/ contact as they don't have the size. As a consequence it has to be played at pace, high fitness with minimal handling errors. When they can do that they are difficult to beat. Like the men women's rugby has to fight for talent against NRL/AFL - tough gig

I watched most of the Oz games, enjoy the 7s. But not surprising about the minimal comments, I have just looked at the Roar as didn't expect there to be any articles over the weekend (except if I have penned something). It is probably reflective of The Roar readership which is pretty 'traditional' & not supportive of 7s and women's rugby which is fine. Many don't realise the value of the 7s program (apart from the rugby part), its link to the Olympics, Govt funding, Govt support for the World Cup etc.

PI girls don't much figure in Sevens. Why ?

Yeah it's never held any interest for me. As you say Bobby, it's not even rugby as we know it. It's not a sustantiual pathway, for either players or supporters, to the 15-player game.