Rugby 7s general chat

[TSR]

A question was posed early as to who gives a shit about 7s. And I get the merit of the question, especially if the World Series is losing money. But then you look at games like that and think what a great spectacle it is and wonder why it can’t get more traction. I know lots of people who don’t watch much rugby but love watching the 7s - but how much opportunity are people getting to follow the team really?

I know it won’t happen (and maybe it shouldn’t) but I also wonder if the Australian tournament would benefit from being played a month or two later when it is cooler. Personally I love watching it on tv in January but it must be a long, hot day out for those at the field and I assume that keeps a few away.

 

[PhilClinton]

Good points TSR but let’s also keep in mind that this tournament was played in a friendly timezone for us here in Oz.

Part of the issue with people giving a shit is that due to the nature of the world tournament format, every second location is at a shitty timezone for the fans. Makes it hard to engage 100% with a fan base particularly the younger ones when they can’t watch half of it.

Same issue we had with the SA super teams…

 

[D-Box]

The fans were at the ground - its just not often then whole crowd is in the stands as there is so much on around it the ground.

The Perth sun shines on the main grandstand all day but the shed (left of broadcast) and western stand was pretty full for most games

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I was definitely someone that said who gives a shit and tbh I stand by it. I watched this weekend but you know what it's very likely I don't watch much of it again all year. I think there are a lot in that boat and that's the issue. It will always be a novelty event of the game of Rugby as a whole.

Problem with having it in a couple of months is the clash with Super Rugby and Club Rugby. A good portion of the fans would participate and then not attend.

How long is it in Perth for? Move it around the country I reckon. If your city got it every few years the tickets become more valuable.

 

[TSR]

My experience is that lots of girls and women in particular have an interest in it - but rarely get to see it. The point Phil Clinton makes re time zones is a good one, but maybe a packaged offering during the day would help connect a lot of these potential rugby people up to the game. I know you can highlights packages if you look for them but a bit of promotion wouldn’t go astray.

 

[wamberal99]

The Hong Kong Sevens will never die.

 

[Dctarget]

I think it's the perfect event for smaller cities like Perth/Adelaide/GC where it can be one of the distinct, more interesting sporting events of the year. Keep it cycling around like this, the crowds were great this weekend.

 

[kiap]

Instead of a month or two later, it would be better a month or two earlier -- i.e. swap with Dubai.

Temperature-wise, late Nov/early Dec is better in most parts of Oz. Incidentally, Late Jan is also cooler in Dubai, which after all is (marginally) in the NH.

The thing with the sevens tour now is there's rarely more than one tournament per continental region to go round. Australia are it for Oceania at the moment, but I suspect NZ will get a few years rotation at some point and perhaps even Fiji.

Most stops will have to rotate out after a few years -- except for HK (at this stage) and possibly Dubai ... Even the London 7s was showing signs of getting stale before it got axed.

 

[Strewthcobber]

If we want any kind of cut-through it's got to be moved away from the tennis final - it's one of one of the biggest sporting events in the Australian calendar. 4 million reach on FTA this year

 

[PhilClinton]

I do think rotating it to a different city in OZ every maybe 2 years is the right play. The event burns out otherwise, no matter what fans tell you.

I happily attended the Gold Coast 7s years ago and had a great time. But I also wasn’t rushing to buy tickets again the following year, and I imagine many were in the same boat as it quickly moved to Sydney the following year I believe.

If fans know it’ll only be in their city for 1 or 2 years before being cycled through, the attendance should be good.

 

[Strewthcobber]

It's not based on any strategy around engagement though is it?
It's just whichever state government bids enough to win hosting of the event from WR (World Rugby)?

 

[PhilClinton]

Surely there is an engagement element or some type of strategy?

Otherwise, wouldn't a state gov just try and lock it up on a long-term deal for a decent cost and rotate it around stadiums in their own state?

 

[Adam84]

I don't agree that rotating it is necessary; there's value in establishing sporting traditions.
I think Sydney was on a good thing when it was hosting it the first weekend of February with capacity crowds. Shifting it to Australia Day and spreading it across 3 days whilst necessary logistically, impacted the crowds in the first year, but then Covid and SFS re-build his which meant is hopped around Western Sydney for a few years or was delayed entirely.

But... it all comes down to which government is willing to pay the most $$$

 

[Strewthcobber]

Otherwise, wouldn't a state gov just try and lock it up on a long-term deal for a decent cost and rotate it around stadiums in their own state?

I assume this is what they aim to do, but for lots of reasons the crowd size and VFM assessment on the government spend end up resulting in the state govs not renewing

 

[kiap]

I don't agree that rotating it is necessary; there's value in establishing sporting traditions.

New Zealand will get a go some point, most likely taking Australia's spot.

With only 7 events (including GF) in a season -- even with Brett Robbo in charge of World Rugby -- Sydney doesn't justify a permanent fixture.

 

[Adam84]

New Zealand's treatment towards hosting 7s tournaments in the later years was pretty piss poor, a key reason they lost it... There's not much revenue generated for the host union, so NZRU/SilverLakes wont put much emphasis on it.

Not to mention the NZ Govt isn't that interested in paying to host events like Australian State Governments.

 

[Tazzmania]

Spent three days at the Sevens and watched every match.

For us hardened, rusted on rugby fans it is important to go into it realising it is what it.

For a rugby tragic that had no interest in sevens a few years back, I have been converted and love the event for what it is.

It is a fun, light hearted but at the same time a seriously entertaining event that uses rugby concepts for its base. (Same as what T20 is to cricket). Yes, its not 15s rugby but somehow it is fun, entertaining and taken very seriously by the players.

It is really a great format and by day three you start getting to notice more and more of the better players and start building a liking for certain players and teams. The threat of relegation at the end of the season ensures the matches remain fairly competitive at the start and by day three due to the structure most matches are like for like playing and keeps the interest going.

It gives a chance for those not serious or even interested in rugby to get behind a team and be part of what live sport is all about. Just look at that support for Kenya.

Not often I feel I can say it, but well done to World Rugby it is a great product that complements rugby union.

 

[Highlander35]

When you look back at 14-15 through about 18-19 the series felt genuinely inspiring and exciting to watch. The hype of Olympics was extremely fresh, new Nations were starting to properly invest in the game, you had 10 events with some great locations like Las Vegas and Paris that felt like it was leaning hard into the carnival atmosphere.

Then COVID happened and since the return everything about it just feels flat. I don't want to cast aspersions on anything in particular, but it feels like WR (World Rugby) are content just letting it exist for as little a cost as is reasonable, as long as they get to keep coming back to the Olympics every 4 years.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

It's being reported that 7s RWC is about to be axed:

The Post

www.thepost.co.nz

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Not surprising. The Olympics is now the pinnacle stand alone event.