Rugby 7s general chat

[churchills cigar]

The problem(s) as I see them are numerous, least of all the hypocrisy of the ARU towards the current sevens players.
It is well accepted by the players they were told in no uncertain terms that super and test players would NOT be in contention for the Olympic selection. This had the effect of the players accepting their meagre remuneration as compensation for an Olympic spot.
They were also told of a supposed sponsorship boost by QANTAS which would give then higher payments.
Both are lies and a misuse of trust.
It is now common knowledge that test players will be used ( I still remember the debacle at the Commonwealth games where ring ins couldn't handle the speed and fitness) and player payments have not risen as a result of the new sponsorship agreement.
Consequently all current sevens players are still for peanuts and playing under the illusion of Olympic glory, neither of which will happen.
When you throw in the constant lure of super contracts, it's no wonder we cannot keep a decent team on the paddock.
I do not subscribe to the theory test players as touted here will be the panacea for Rio. Fitness and speed will see to that, some might but not all that are mentioned.
I doubt super clubs will be too willing to lose their stars for 12 months while they prepare at sevens, who will pay then from what funds.
I know company sevens players who have gone to super and they all tell me sevens was a great pathway, none relish going back purely because of the huge increase in fitness requirements, yet cal, would love the chance to go to Rio.
I'm afraid until the ARU can come up with a financial solution to the super players foregoing super rugby and also compensating current sevens players we will not only continue to be an also ran at sevens our Olympic program will not be anything too special.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

I know they are discussing pathways, I have heard some ideas personally from the ARU. They are strategising how the Super Rugby thing will work. But it does take time. I don't think there is much agreement on these things within the ARU, so it will take time to: A. figure out the best plan B. sell everyone on it.

Very few nations actually have a 7s pathway right now. In fact, USA and South Africa probably have the most formalised pathway, and USA's is not fully implemented yet. NZ is a different story all together.

From what I've read, the US one will be formidable in time. They are looking to establish 12 designated academies based along territorial lines to effectively feed into the Chula Vista program. If they get these up and running and by 2020 they'll be a real medal chance.

 

[p.Tah]

Private investors were keen to buy into rugby sevens about two years ago. Nothing came of it unfortunately. I wonder if a new ARU would consider this.

From 2011:

A GROUP of 15 businessmen headed by former Myer chairman Bill Wavish and television presenter David Koch is negotiating with the Australian Rugby Union to buy into the Australian seven-a-side program in the lead-up to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Wavish yesterday told The Australian the businessmen, who he described as rugby aficionados and tragics, were not interested in taking over the abridged version of the game, but simply wanted to ensure Australia was well placed to exploit the opportunities opening up following the admission of sevens, both men's and women's, to the Olympic Games program.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...corporate-circle/story-e6frg7o6-1226023530106

 

[USARugger]

Dunno if anyone is watch the Amsterdam 7s right now but this wet weather is playing the Oz girls right into the hands of the USA.

Good try to open the second half for the Aussie women. USA girls look to have lost their physical edge at halftime, some very weak/sloppy tackling there.

Dunno about that call, ball was out of her hands when she went into touch.

Good job girls! Always nice to have the Lady Eagles to fall back on..

 

[Rassie]

For kicks, our best 7s side if we could select anyone:

Hooper, Genia, Beale, O'Connor, Folau, Ioane, Gill

Good looking team that but we tried that once. 15 specialist who looked good in the 15 man game and we thought. Surely they must be the bomb in 7's. We got beaten by a Fiji team that wasn't big names in 15 but in 7's they taught us a lesson in that final.

Great Britain will they be known as the Lions 7's?

 

[Jets]

How to win Olympic Gold?

Have a plan.

The Olympic Development Program is designed for:
- Up and coming players who are not yet ready for international competition but have demonstrated the ability to play on the national team
- Players who are in the extended player pool but not part of the Eagles' residency program.
- Domestic club-based athletes, non-collegiate age-grade athletes, and college athletes whose University programs are not delivering a high performance rugby experience.
College players will be encouraged to have a formal connection with an ODA for out of season development in conjunction with that athlete's collegiate coach. Athletes attending the centers do not have to play for the entity hosting the center; they will, however, have to follow the program provided for them by their Academy coach.
The Olympic Development Program will be launched in three phases:
- Phase 1 of the program will include six ODA's in Seattle, Chicago and San Diego (Serevi), Long Beach & Columbus (Emerging Tigers), and Glendale Raptors and will be run as a pilot program to build best-case practices.
- Phase 2 will increase the numbers of centers to support the demand across the country.
- Phase 3 will see the establishment of a National Academy facility and an expansion of the current residency program at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA.
USA Rugby's six initial ODA's will begin in January of 2013 with a focus on building best-case practices for future expansion. Applications for Phase 2 will be accepted after February 2013.

http://www.usarugby.org/mens-sevens-news/item/usa-rugby-to-launch

 

[Hugh Jarse]

The Olympic Development Program is designed for:
- ./...Snip.../.
- Phase 3 will see the establishment of a National Academy facility and an expansion of the current residency program at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA.
USA Rugby's six initial ODA's will begin in January of 2013 with a focus on building best-case practices for future expansion. Applications for Phase 2 will be accepted after February 2013.

A facility that facilitates. Impressive. That simple measure would tick some boxes and promote a toxicity free environment according to some leading professional players.

One hopes that the ARU GM of Sevens either has a plan, or is in the process of knocking one up.

Hand in hand with the plan/strategy is the establishment of effective competition structures rather than the ad-hoc tournaments that currently exist.

Gotta love the Septics. If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing to the nth degree of planning, strategising, and analysing overkill with plenty of associated business buzzword bingo entries generated.

 

[Jets]

I just like the fact that they have a plan in place to achieve their goal of winning a medal at the Olympics. They are putting structures in place to give themselves the best shot.

We have arguably a better pool of "athletes" to pick from and the facilities in place to maximise the return. It would be great if the new Sevens department developed a strategic plan around the sevens program to achieve gold.

 

[USARugger]

They need to re-jig the ODAs in Phase 1 to include an academy in the south. There isn't one, yet that is where the 7s National Champions reside along with a huge chunk of the top-flight Men's and College talent. Big, big oversight.

 

[BaysideBird]

What about the current OLympic champions USA? Shouldn't they get a spot as well for being the defending champions?

they are defending champs for rugby XV's anyway. So technically its a different sport. Much like Rhythmic and Artistic Gymnastics.

 

[Rassie]

they are defending champs for rugby XV's anyway. So technically its a different sport. Much like Rhythmic and Artistic Gymnastics.

I thought with Olympics previous winners get automatic qualification which is not the case as I founded out but is Olympic football technically different from others as it u/23 where you are allowed two over 23. Its still known as Olympic rugby

 

[Hugh Jarse]

I like this statement from the Canadian Women's 7's Team Calendar "About" page
http://nswtcalendar.com/

Warning: Link is Not entirely safe for Work

The national team is based out of Langford, B.C, where we train together for 5 months out of the year - January- June. We train full time in the gym, on the track, and on the pitch every day. In 2011 we were ranked #1 in the world, and in 2012 we have continued our success and most recently won gold at Amsterdam 7s. We are proud representatives from all across Canada who have come together for one goal - world domination.​

 

[SevensPhD]

They need to re-jig the ODAs in Phase 1 to include an academy in the south. There isn't one, yet that is where the 7s National Champions reside along with a huge chunk of the top-flight Men's and College talent. Big, big oversight.

The south is historically weak in the USA, and have very rarely had a good showing at USA 7s Nationals. Belmont Shore is actually the reigning champions from Southern California. I think you referred to Life University winning the college national championship. Life Uni and Life Mens Club hold the torch for rugby in the south.

California teams have won over 75% of past mens 7s championships-which is why the focus has been there.

Saying that, here is a clip from the USA ODA plan, which includes the south in phase II (July 2013 onwards):

This Olympic development academy model can be easily replicated here, just replace Serevi/Tiger etc with Sydney/Brisbane/Perth etc....

 

[Hell West & Crooked]

I just like the fact that they have a plan in place to achieve their goal of winning a medal at the Olympics. They are putting structures in place to give themselves the best shot.

We have arguably a better pool of "athletes" to pick from and the facilities in place to maximise the return. It would be great if the new Sevens department developed a strategic plan around the sevens program to achieve gold.

We used to be very good at that sort of thing... Unfortunately in the modern day, (like for the Third Tier), there is just no money.

 

[Rassie]

Why would you aproach Sevens differently or start a specific sevens program for a Olympic gold if you do already have a good structure that produces players for the 15 man game?

 

[Hell West & Crooked]

Why would you aproach Sevens differently or start a specific sevens program for a Olympic gold if you do already have a good structure that produces players for the 15 man game?

because 7s is a different game, often producing a subtley different athlete, and the club structure which produces 15s players (however haphazardly) is not that suitable for producing 7s players - particularly in countries - like Australia - where the player depth is somewhat shallow.

 

[Jets]

We used to be very good at that sort of thing. Unfortunately in the modern day, (like for the Third Tier), there is just no money.

I don't think it requires a whole lot of money. Just some smart thinking. Also if you make it for men and women it will open up more funding streams. Many of the facilities that are currently in place would be utilised.

 

[Hell West & Crooked]

I don't think it requires a whole lot of money. Just some smart thinking. Also if you make it for men and women it will open up more funding streams. Many of the facilities that are currently in place would be utilised.

Facilities? Yes... absolutely. Playing Structure? - No. Remuneration? - (of a scale order to keep the best players in that Sport) - does not yet exist. Remember, the NZRU were recently quoted as offering contracts of $120,000 per year for their 7s players, and deservedly so, given their results... what do our blokes earn? 15k? 20k? - and our women?...

It might be unpopular, but in my opinion, all the great work being done by several clubs to foster womens Rugby, would be better directed towards fostering a women's 7S Competition... I am not familiar with this area of the game - but I understand the womens teams in sydney (parra, warringah etc) play 15s?

 

[Jets]

True they all play 15''s but most of these clubs will field women's 7's teams as well. I know that the fortunes of women's rugby at Sunnybank were turned around through a 7's program that exposed the game to new players. Just over a year later they won the Comp in 15's.

I agree with your point on the pay issue. It is something that will have to be built towards and not a short term fix. A viable option would be to partner with a University or training facility and provide these players with flexible education and training options for careers after rugby. Currently these players are required to take so much time off work that they don't have any career progression during their playing careers.

 

[USARugger]

SevensPhD

Sorry, I did mean to say college nat'l champs. Pretty silly typo considering I'm likely going to be playing for Schuylkill River in the fall.

Outside of Life you have a ton of talent in that area. No other regions are regularly playing (and beating) the Carribean National squads amongst other programs. It might be 15s but the variety of clubs the athletes chosen for the Southern Selects XV represent implies a pretty healthy talent base in the area. I just think it would be silly to leave that much talent sitting for any period of time, especially if they are establishing academies in Columbus and Chicago during Phase 1.