Rugby 7s general chat

[Serge]

Pretty good result for the Women given they had six first string players unavailable for Vancouver. Great experience for the all the developing players who had to front up for this tournament. I believe Maddison Levi, Bienne Terita and Sariah Paki will all be available for the next tournament in HK but Fakaosilea, Ashby and Shave all still rehabbing until next years series. Levi and Terita will bring increased speed and size to the flanks.

 

[PhilClinton]

How did the men drop off so badly?

 

[Dctarget]

How did the men drop off so badly?

Don't know if they did, went down to SA in the QFs who they beat in the pool matches.

 

[Serge]

Yeah. If they had not lost to RSA by 3 points in the QF then they would have a had a top 4 finish again, which given the closeness of the Mens competition would have been a great achievement. Fine margins in the Mens competition.

 

[PhilClinton]

It is probably one of the reasons why 7s struggles to gain momentum outside the core fans and the home tournament.

Because on paper, the Men just went from a 2nd place in Perth to a 7th place in Vancouver. Most casuals don't look at the 'why' and just look at the final result.

 

[Adam84]

News Corp reporting that World Rugby looking to cut cost on the World 7's series, potentially reducing the number of teams as it's haemorrhaging money

 

[Highlander35]

News Corp reporting that World Rugby looking to cut cost on the World 7's series, potentially reducing the number of teams as it's haemorrhaging money

 

[Wilson]

Looks like there will be a Queensland leg of the World Series circuit as part of a deal to lock the Olympic sevens in at Suncorp:

Like a lot of international sporting bodies, World Rugby officials are sweating on the pending announcement on the final choice of venues for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Although a formal announcement won’t be made until March 28, it is now expected that rugby sevens will be contested at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium after an initial proposal to stage the six-day men’s and women’s tournaments in Townsville was kicked into touch.

While Olympic hosts have been urged to save as much money as possible by using existing infrastructure, highly placed sources said Olympic and World Rugby bosses were not exactly thrilled by plans to hold sevens in North Queensland.

It is understood officials have been lobbying quietly in the background, using the phenomenal success of rugby sevens at the 2024 Paris Olympics as proof of why the abbreviated version of the game needs a bigger stage.

One of the untold stories of Paris is that organisers originally intended to play sevens at a smaller suburban stadium because the 80,000-seater Stade de France was hosting the athletics.

But World Rugby convinced the organisers to play sevens at the national stadium too, which meant starting the tournament two days before the Opening Ceremony.

It proved a masterstroke, with tickets to every session selling out and France going on to win the gold medal.

To sweeten the deal for 2032, it is understood Queensland will be awarded future rounds of the Australian leg of the annual World Series.

https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/rugby/wallabies/rugby-australia-begins-mass-resigning-bid-for-off-contract-wallabies/news-story/ad76a216035a4293165e5141db9d7feb?amp

No word on when or whether that's Brisbane, Townsville or the Gold Coast yet.

 

[PhilClinton]

I think smart money would be on the Gold Coast hosting it, they ran a successful leg over a couple of years. The GC also plays into the whole 'party scene' of the Vegas and HK legs as well.

 

[Wilson]

I think smart money would be on the Gold Coast hosting it, they ran a successful leg over a couple of years. The GC also plays into the whole 'party scene' of the Vegas and HK legs as well.

I wouldn't be amazed if the QLD government was keen on Townsville for it, though it's not as clear what the current setups priorities are there.

 

[PhilClinton]

I wouldn't be amazed if the QLD government was keen on Townsville for it, though it's not as clear what the current setups priorities are there.

I think the Townsville experiment is over and I don't think they'd get the crowds or buy in as much as Gold Coast or Brisbane would.

In fact the more I run it over in my head, I am actually leaning towards Brisbane being chosen as they'll have seen the success of the NRL Magic Round and would be keen to emulate that.

 

[Strewthcobber]

As I understand it, WR (World Rugby) Svns works on the basis of host cities purchasing the rights (in Australia, that would be the state government) from a promotor, and then looking to justify the expense by inncreased visitor numbers, tourism etc. The state doesn't actually get any direct revenue from the deal (in fact, they are paying). WR (World Rugby) keeps the ticket sales etc.

And as per the posts above, the model isn't working, with costs > revenue

it is understood Queensland will be awarded future rounds of the Australian leg of the annual World Series

So in that context, what does this mean? Queensland don't have to bid for it? They don't have to pay for it?

 

[Adam84]

Caslick has rule herself out of the upcoming HSBC Singapore and Hong Kong 7’s legs to focus on Reds XVs and Super W season

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Black Ferns 7's players Risi Pouri-Lane, Jorja Miller, Stacey Waaka, Theresa Setefano, Kelsey Teneti, Dhys Faleafaga & Alena Saili have made themselves available for the XV's World Cup but Sarah Hirini staying in the 7's program in what's almost a player/ assistant coach role.

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[Marmite]

Black Ferns 7's players Risi Pouri-Lane, Jorja Miller, Stacey Waaka, Theresa Setefano, Kelsey Teneti, Dhys Faleafaga & Alena Saili have made themselves available for the XV's World Cup but Sarah Hirini staying in the 7's program in what's almost a player/ assistant coach role.

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

I have commented regarding the 15s aspect in the Women's Rugby thread but this is interesting as far as the future of the BF 7s team goes and also how the 24/25 SVNS Series pans out.

I am guessing that the Aus Women's team will be in the same position with the move of many players in the WRWC year but the squads at the Grand Final round in LA could look very different.

As long as there are no injuries the final BF 7s squad should have

Brake
Hirini
Felix-Hotham
Miller
Nuku
Paul
Waaka

That's only 7 players so the remainder will presumably come from

Maia Davis (1 tournament) - full contract
Justine MacGregor (1) - full contract
Olive Watherston (1) - contract not public
Le'Oxeayn Maiu'u (0) - full contract

Still require one more for named team and probably a travelling reserve

Possibles that were in the development team sent to Coral Coast Sevens tournament earlier in the year include

Louisa Blyde
Jamie Kolose
Braxton Sorenson McGee

Will be interesting to see if any are taken to Hong Kong/ Singapore legs for experience.

 

[Marmite]

I notice that the "NZ Legends" team playing in the HK 10s has the remainder (ie not at HK Sevens) of the BF7s contracted players. Both Watherston and Blyde are listed as being BF7s players so I assume that they have both gone onto contract.
Good that the 'extras' ( Watherston, Blyde, MacGregor and Maiu'u) are getting match play even if it is in 10s festival. Davis has travelled with the main squad.
Looks like the planning for LA is done. IF kelly Brazier isn't required in the BF XVs then she will also likely be available.
No obvious sign of any Oz women but the teams are invitational so it's possible some are playing.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

7s is dead right? Half full HK at best to watch Fiji who usually drag all the bar flies back for 15 mins.

HK in general a dying city for westerners but if this goes the 7s tour really takes a hit.

 

[young gun]

The first day always has poor crowds. Wait until Sunday to see if things are as dead as you suggest. Could be, but too early to say.

 

[bhim]

7s is dead right? Half full HK at best to watch Fiji who usually drag all the bar flies back for 15 mins.

HK in general a dying city for westerners but if this goes the 7s tour really takes a hit.

Friday always a quiet day. I'm from Hong Kong and from what I've heard this sounds like one of the largest in a few years at least.

90% of tickets sold across the weekend apparently.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Yeah I noted that it was pretty quiet on day one when I went a few years ago, but it well and truly heats up come the weekend. One of the best times you can have at any sporting event.