IRB Sevens 2012/13

[p.Tah]

As expected Argentina has been added to an expanded IRB Sevens World Series for 2012/13

Round 1 Australia (Gold Coast) 13-14 Oct 2012
Round 2 Argentina (La Plata) 20-21 Oct 2012
Round 3 Dubai 30 Nov - 1 Dec 2012
Round 4 South Africa (Port Elizabeth) 7-8 Dec 2012
Round 5 New Zealand (Wellington) 1-2 Feb 2013
Round 6 USA (Las Vegas) 8-10 Feb 2013
Round 7 Hong Kong 22-24 Mar 2013
Round 8 Japan (Tokyo) 30-31 Mar 2013
Round 9 Scotland (Glasgow) 4-5 May 2013
Round 10 England (London) 11-12 May 2013

 

[tigerland12]

That's like the perfect holiday untill you realise you have to finish it off with a week or so in Glasgow and London.

 

[Nusadan]

And then there's the World Cup Sevens on 28 to 30 June after that....

http://www.irbsevens.com/news/newsid=2063150.html#hsbc+sevens+world+series+expands+rounds

 

[RugbyReg]

Its worth noting that Shannon Walker will be on the wing for Easts this weekend when they take on Brothers in the Match of the Round in Brisbane Premier Comp.

I believe this will be his first match of 15s?

 

[Jets]

And then there's the World Cup Sevens on 28 to 30 June after that..

http://www.irbsevens.com/news/newsid=2063150.html#hsbc sevens world series expands rounds

It's my understanding that this will be the last 7's World Cup. Can anyone confirm this? Apparently when it was accepted into the Olympics the agreed to drop the World Cup.

 

[TOCC]

Yes that's correct, part of the agreement with the IOC was that the World Cup is assimilated into the Olympics.

 

[qwerty51]

Its worth noting that Shannon Walker will be on the wing for Easts this weekend when they take on Brothers in the Match of the Round in Brisbane Premier Comp.

I believe this will be his first match of 15s?

Don't expect too much, towards the end of the season O'Connor put Walker on the bench as his 7s skills were being exploited; he had very poor defence and a ruck and maul were totally unknown to him. Great runner of the ball but 7s players need the whole package or else they're just a liability.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Have we got a 4 year plan in place to win Gold in Rio, or are going to get to late 2015 and then start thinking about the squad for Rio?

This should include a plan to upskill team coaches, assistant coaches, tacticians, SC staff and management.

 

[TOCC]

olympic funding opportunities will be made available to the ARU and 7's rugby side following the completion of the London Olympics, funding runs in a 4 year cycle.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Given their propensity to redirect monies away from grass roots to the gravy train, what hope do we have that the tenants of the Ivory Castle in St Leonards (AKA ARU HQ):
a. have the ability to actually put up a sound business case to apply for sufficient funding,
b. know that they have to apply for the funding and by when, and
c. knows what it will take to properly prepare a team of boys AND girls to go for gold.

I hope they do not engage any of the Diveball World Cup Bid team, or any of the ex-NSW Public Servants responsible for applying for Commonwealth funding for major infrastructure projects, to assist them. The record of these buffons is not exactly glorious.

 

[Jets]

From a playing point of view I think we are in a pretty good position currently. We have full time coaches for both the Men's and Women's teams, they have regular training camps were their physical development is monitored and they compete in major tournaments around the world. Over the last few years improvements have been made to the number of local comps and some of them offer significant prize monies for the teams who take them out. 7's comps have been introduced at school level to expose the game to a larger cross section of the community. Keebra Park, a traditionally strong league school, took out the national schoolboy's 7's comp at the GC 7's last year.
I would be an advocate of the introduction of a couple of stand alone 7's events that could be sold to TV stations for content and more exposure. In the US they show the CRC (College Rugby Championships) on NBC and it has pretty good ratings so I can't see why we couldn't do this for a Schoolboy/schoolgirl comp here. It would allow for more exposure and it would attract sponsors too.
One area where more work could be done is in clubland. While in the past clubs have seen 7's as a bit of an end of season booze up or used for pre season fitness they should start looking at it as a new pathway for players. I know Sunnybank in Brisbane invest quite a bit of time and money into there program. http://www.sunnybankrugby.com.au/sevens/

 

[Budgie]

Do the Women play at the same tournaments as the Men now? Was it at the Dubai 7's last year when they played at the same venue (on a back field), but the finals were in the middle of the mens finals on the main pitch.

 

[p.Tah]

Disappointing news. Hopefully they can fix the issues by next season

The International Rugby Board can confirm that the Unión Argentina de Rugby (UAR) has reluctantly postponed hosting its round of the 2012/13 HSBC Sevens World Series.

The decision follows a review of all operational requirements by the Union taken in full consultation with all stakeholders. The UAR will now focus on ensuring the delivery of an outstanding Sevens event in 2013/14 as well as the successful inauguration of Argentina into The Rugby Championship this year.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "The IRB understands and fully supports what was a very difficult decision for the UAR. They have kept us fully informed throughout the review process and we believe that the decision they have taken is in the best interests of the Union, Argentinean Rugby and the HSBC Sevens World Series."

"The Union is dedicated to the delivery of a memorable and successful Series event that showcases Rugby in South America. By extending the delivery timescale we can work in partnership with the UAR and all stakeholders to ensure that the event in 2013/14 achieves all strategic aims, is beneficial for Rugby in Argentina and South America and secures its place on the Series as one of the must see events."

UAR President Luis Castillo said: "This has been a difficult decision to take as we are excited about our HSBC Sevens World Series hosting opportunity. However, the logistical challenges are too significant to successfully deliver an event this year that is beneficial for all stakeholders and we would like to thank the IRB for their support and understanding in this matter. We are now all focused on ensuring that all the processes are in place to ensure that our debut in 2013/14 is a successful one."

IRB Council Member for Argentina Agustín Pichot added: "We have worked tirelessly to deliver the outstanding event for teams, fans and Argentinean Rugby. However, we must ensure that player preparation time is paramount and unfortunately we cannot guarantee the logistics that achieve this important consideration this year. However, we are determined to resolve these issues in partnership with the IRB ahead of next year's tournament with a considerable lead-in time and in the meantime look forward to our Rugby Championship debut."

 

[Hugh Jarse]

How hard can it be to organise a two day sevens tournament? Obviously harder than appears to be the case at first glance.

Not as if it hasn't been done before anywhere. The Tin Foil hat in me detects something else going on in the background.

Bloody disappointing for the players and the locals. Here's hoping for next year.

Seems that IRB have simply wiped the round.

Revised draw announced.

The 2012/13 HSBC Sevens World Series will comprise nine rounds:
Gold Coast (Australia) - October 13-14 2012
Dubai - November 30 - December 1
Port Elizabeth (South Africa) - December 2012 (Date TBC)
Wellington (New Zealand) - February 1-2 2013
Las Vegas (USA) - February 8-10 2013
Hong Kong - March 22-24 2013
Tokyo (Japan) - March 30-31 2013
Glasgow (Scotland) - May 4-5 2013
London (England) - May 11-12 2013

* Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 - June 28-30, Moscow (Russia)
Does the Gold Coast round conflict with Schoolies this year?

 

[Jets]

No schoolies is mid November so it will be clear. Will open up a lot more accommodation options

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Will have to see if a couple of the Jarses can get a leave pass from La Jarse for Gold Cost 7's if the joint is not going to be full of frisky and drunk teenagers. Much better to be surrounded by tired and emotional rugby supporters.

1448 days to go to Rio and counting.

 

[qwerty51]

Squad named for the Oceania tournament

Australia squad: Luke Morahan, Jesse Parahi, Will Miller, Jacob Taylor, Jordan Tuapou, Con Foley, Allan Faalavaau, Matthew Blain, Ed Jenkins (c), Matt Lucas, Dan Yakopo, Pama Fou.

No Walker, unsure on his status but if he's fit it's hardly surprising after he was exposed quite heavily in the last couple of games.

 

[TOCC]

Why do they take someone like Luke Morahan, but ignore some of the other Super Rugby players....

 

[tigerland12]

Walker has been on ice for over a month now qwerty, got injured in his first match for Easts.

 

[p.Tah]

A US TV commercial for next year's 7s in Vegas