IRB Sevens 2012

Fiji banged us lol

agree - Sevens is a separate sport from the 15 man game and as such should stand alone financially without the support of the ARU. In reality only a few make it to the 15's. - would love to know how many $$$$$ gets chucked into the sevens pot by the ARU ie, wages, contracts, tours, etc etc

Its like 20/20 cricket. You get the 7 or 20/20 experts and the full international players. But is a good thing for development?

Spoony - agree that it is a good thing for development but only for a few - question is, is it worth the $$$ or can those limited resources be better utilised (for grassroots, academies etc)

Yes, the sevens program is worthwhile, and yes, it DOES deserve the backing of the ARU - why? Because it's Rugby!

7's is a key strategy in the growth of rugby at the grassroots - It is a major program that gets people engaged in the game that otherwise wouldn't play at all.

As for the high performance stuff, from the top of my head players such as Liam Gill, Scott Higginbotham, James Stannard, Kimami Sitauti, Lachie Turner and Eddie Quirk have all come through the Sevens Program. It provides a fantastic professional environment and provides another opportunity for players to show their wares. Just because we aren't winning at every tournament doesn't mean it's not worthwhile -

Where would you spend this wasted money at Grassroots level anyway? More DO's who just hit numbers at schools without really engagin the kids? Yeah that's a way to keep talented players in the game.

Another potentially huge benefit of the Sevens circuit is that, properly managed, and artfully promoted, the IRB Sevens weekend can become an iconic event in the sporting (and social) calendar, with lots of free publicity and a boost to the image of the whole rugby brand.

I lived in Hong Kong from 1976, until 1995 (not continuously, but for about 10 of those years - and for the other years I was in close touch, travelled there for work and holidays, etc), so I saw at close hand the growth in the Hong Kong Sevens as an event, an event that is now one of the very most popular in the place.

I might add that HSBC have been involved with the Hong Kong Sevens since its inception. The then Chief Executive of the Bank, Willie Purves, was also the Chairman of The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club (as it then was) when the club agreed to manage and partially fund the upgrade of the Football Stadium in the mid eighties, an event which was the real watershed in the growth of the event.


HSBC is now one of the biggest rugby sponsors around, they are naming rights sponsor for the Sevens Circuit, and of course they sponsor the Tahs.


Success breeds success. Anybody who doubts that the Sevens programme is worth the money is short-sightted.

Sunnybank have been investing $50K+ in 7s for the last 2 years and the investment is well worth while. A proper 7s program highlights individual skill in a way that 15s can't. While most people were sceptical when the investment was initially made it is now a key part of the clubs recruitment, retention and player development. This year they are kicking off an Olympic Target Squad for women and will conduct 3 x 6 week women competitions through the year before ths Spring/Summer competitive season. As a young club withut the traditional reputation of Randwick or Brothers, competing at international tournament (with success) has led to the club having players from NZ, Canada, USA who have aspirations for 7s seek to play for the club. You only have to spend a little time in Asia and see the investment from Olympic Councils in USA and Canada to realise that the future of the game as a real world sport lies in 7s while unfortunately 15s will be the bastion of 10 or see nations were the game has a traditional background.

Should be interesting to see who is added to the series. It would surprise some exactly how competitive the fight for these three spots would be.

Cana

Canada would be one of them for sure, they did well to make the quarters last weekend.

I think it needs more TV coverage like the 15 man game.

Only speaking from a NZ point-of-view but here are some names that have played in our 7's:

Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen, Liam Messam, Adam Thompson, Hosea Gear, Corey Jane, Victor Vito, Julian Savea, Julian Savea, Israel Dagg, Rener Ranger, Scott Waldrom, Alando Soaki, Ben Atiga, Tanirau Latimer, Josh Blackie, Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a, Dwayne Sweeney, Lachie Munroe, Doug Howlett, Soseni Anesi, Tamati Ellison, Matua Parkinson...and apart from the first two, that's only going back to 2005.

All of these guys have played at Super Rugby level or higher.

Australia should stop supporting 7's rugby. They should get better at it.


I don't know how BTW..

According to Rugbymag (the media wing of USA 7s LLC) ticket sales for this weekend are currently sitting a touch over 60,000 units. Pretty good growth for the event in its 3rd year in Vegas. They are expecting a "strong" walk up crowd as well and are reasonably optimistic of topping 70,000 for the event.

18-year-old Victorian, Allan Faalavaau, has been brought into to the side and will make his international Sevens debut for Australia in Vegas. I believe this will be the first Victorian developed rugby player to play 7s for Australia.

http://www.rugby.com.au/sevens/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1754/ArticleID/5357/Default.aspx

Lealiifano?

Good pick up, yes you are right.

Please tell me I was not the only one who just saw the USA 7s final?

Best 7s final ever. Go Samoa!!

Over 64,000 attendees for the weekends play. Shy of cracking the 70,000 they were hoping. This is encouraging on a few levels. First, the growth in numbers attending, the level of play involved and the proof that Rugby can be a successful commercial entity in the USA. Something that is needed to move the game further along its development in the USA.

No visibility on this whatsover. Who did they beat in the Final?