IRB Sevens 2012

[Jets]

There is a bit of a circuit, although unofficial, at the moment. Central Coast, Byron, Noosa and Gold Coast. It is up to the clubs to develop a 7's program. I know Sunnybank have a proper program here in Brisbane and they fly a team to the Singapore 7's each year.

The ARU need to run a points table for these tournaments and have a series winner for each season. I think it would add a bit of credibility to the entire series.

 

[p.Tah]

The ARU need to run a points table for these tournaments and have a series winner for each season. I think it would add a bit of credibility to the entire series.

I really like that idea Jets. Is there a core group of teams that play on these circuits?

I've also toyed with the idea of using the super rugby teams in a 3 tournament over summer (the public will identify with the 'team brands'). They wouldn't necessarily be the contracted 15s players, but perhaps players from club rugby 7s could be picked and play under the franchise banners. That's 15 teams, add in Port Elizabeth from SA and two other teams (perhaps Pacific islands). Play it in Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne. What players from SA and NZ wouldn't want to come to Australia and enjoy summer? Now all they need is someone to fund it ...

 

[Bowside]

The Australian super rugby teams could all field a team in a domestic 7's circuit over the summer. Rest the star players and field a team made up of the fringe squad players as well as some young guys from the academy.

Invite the kiwi teams to compete as well. PNG might also be interested.

 

[Jets]

I think that you could do it under the current structure and Super teams can enter teams if they want. I know NewStar have done quite well and they are made up from the stable of NewStar Sports management. I would still open opportunities for local teams to enter some of the comps and getting OS teams in for the odd appearance. I know PNG had a team in the Gold Coast sevens the week before the IRB event. Hong Kong played in the Noosa event too.

Add to the tournaments that I mentioned earlier the Hottest 7's and a few other at the start of the new year I think you would have an 8 tournament series.

 

[Bowside]

I think that you could do it under the current structure and Super teams can enter teams if they want. I know NewStar have done quite well and they are made up from the stable of NewStar Sports management. I would still open opportunities for local teams to enter some of the comps and getting OS teams in for the odd appearance. I know PNG had a team in the Gold Coast sevens the week before the IRB event. Hong Kong played in the Noosa event too.

Add to the tournaments that I mentioned earlier the Hottest 7's and a few other at the start of the new year I think you would have an 8 tournament series.

Yeah sounds good, would be great if they could start a little earlier in the year as well so that the aru 7's crew could get a chance to sort out some of the talent floating round and if they are good enough bring them into the thunderbolts squad. That's what happened this year with that young lad from nudgee - played well at noosa and was in the Australian team the week after.

I have no idea what the 7's scene is like further south but would a smaller scale melbourne or adelade 7's event be on the cards?

 

[TOCC]

Ive said it before, there will be a rationalisation of the 7's tournament within Australia eventually, however at the moment i think the current growth in the new tournaments and exsisting ones like the Gold Coast, Byron etc is going as well as could be expected.

From a buisness point of view, i actually think the ARU is better off letting the current tournaments mature and grow independantly, and at a later date bring in a overarching body to have a broader point based system introduced. They are all working well within each other at the moment by deconflicting dates, so there is much of a need.

Further to that, there isnt enough consistency/continuity in the teams which represent at the tournments, so having a point based system wouldnt exactly work at the moment, but as more clubs like Sunnybank establish full time 7's systems, this will become possible.

 

[qwerty51]

Anyone know why Fox Sports aren't showing the South African 7s?

 

[wamberal]

Anyone know why Fox Sports aren't showing the South African 7s?

They are showing the final day live on Fox Sports 2, Saturday night.


Makes sense, really, the first day is not all that interesting, frankly, except for a couple of matches.

 

[PaarlBok]

They are showing the final day live on Fox Sports 2, Saturday night.


Makes sense, really, the first day is not all that interesting, frankly, except for a couple of matches.

You gonna miss a lot of action in the main game of day 1.

 

[PaarlBok]

http://worldrugby.yolasite.com/

for live action.

 

[p.Tah]

There is a bit of a circuit, although unofficial, at the moment. Central Coast, Byron, Noosa and Gold Coast.

I see even Hobart has a 7s tournament next year.

http://www.tasrugbyunion.com.au/content/hobart-sevens

 

[qwerty51]

Makes sense, really, the first day is not all that interesting, frankly, except for a couple of matches.

No it doesn't make sense at all, that have nothing better to show. Day 1 is just as good.

 

[spectator]

Watched some highlights of the SA Sevens and have to say the OZ boys are closing the gap on the other sides, even if the results aren't quite showing it at the moment. Probably still need one or two real playmakers in the side, ala a Richard Kingi, but the youngsters are making a good fist of it and certainly dont shirk the physical stuff. More and more impressed with Con Foley everytime I see him. McNamara has good ticker and strength but could probably give the ball more, as could Pama Fou.

The final between NZ and SA was a great game. How long is that DJ Forbes going to be around?

Crowd looked like they were having a lot of fun..I'd expect to see something similar on the Coast next year.

 

[Bullrush]

Watched some highlights of the SA Sevens and have to say the OZ boys are closing the gap on the other sides, even if the results aren't quite showing it at the moment. Probably still need one or two real playmakers in the side, ala a Richard Kingi, but the youngsters are making a good fist of it and certainly dont shirk the physical stuff. More and more impressed with Con Foley everytime I see him. McNamara has good ticker and strength but could probably give the ball more, as could Pama Fou.

The final between NZ and SA was a great game. How long is that DJ Forbes going to be around?
Crowd looked like they were having a lot of fun..I'd expect to see something similar on the Coast next year.

Would you believe he's only about 27...maybe 28. A really nice guy too.

 

[p.Tah]

The Sevens squads for Wellington have been announced

http://www.irbsevens.com/documents/3/IRB7-13-NZL-SquadLists.pdf

Australia is:
1 Tomas English *
2 Jesse Parahi
3 Sean McMahon
4 Ed Stubbs
5 Jordan Tuapou
6 Con Foley
7 Cam Clark *
8 Greg Jeloudev
9 Ed Jenkins
10 Lewis Holland
11 Daniel Yakopo
12 Pama Fou

I think an asterix means it's their debut

 

[MrTimms]

I think an asterix means it's their debut

I think you're right. Both those guys had a run in Darwin at the Hottest 7s so should be fit. I didn't get to see them unfortunately...

 

[barbarian]

Cam Clark, very interesting selection.

For those who are unfamiliar Cam is Greg Clark's son, and left Knox last year so must only be 18 or 19. Very talented junior player, didn't play Aus Schools due to injury IIRC.

 

[Moses]

Fox Sports 3HD and 3 will show all the Finals action from Day 2 live on Saturday 4 February from 11:00am (AEDT).

 

[qwerty51]

Another disgrace, why are they not showing the first day!

 

[spectator]

Cam Clark, very interesting selection.

For those who are unfamiliar Cam is Greg Clark's son, and left Knox last year so must only be 18 or 19. Very talented junior player, didn't play Aus Schools due to injury IIRC.

Fairly sure I saw Cam Clark at fullback for the Schools team against NZ last year. Not much to him but he showed plenty of guts.