Rugby 7s general chat

[Upthemaroon!]

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 twenty / twenty is to cricket). Yes, its not 15's 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 compliments rugby union.

A BBL style 7's comp throughout Australia would be fun. Throw in some fireworks, cheerleaders, cheap piss, and fatty food and you got bums on seats.

 

[PhilClinton]

A BBL style 7's comp throughout Australia would be fun. Throw in some fireworks, cheerleaders, cheap piss, and fatty food and you got bums on seats.

It has been raised before and I think the biggest drawback is that you'd have to make each comp a mini tournament in order to make it worthwhile.

Teams and fans aren't going to want to make the effort of going to a stadium if each team is only running around for 14mins.

And BBL probably isn't the best example. It seems to have had a resurgence the last few years but generally crowds aren't great, and part of the reason is because Australian's struggle to resonate with the teams.

If something like NRC failed, I think getting a 7s style tournament with no prior allegiances or tribalism off the ground would be fairly dire.

 

[Upthemaroon!]

It has been raised before and I think the biggest drawback is that you'd have to make each comp a mini tournament in order to make it worthwhile.

Teams and fans aren't going to want to make the effort of going to a stadium if each team is only running around for 14mins.

And BBL probably isn't the best example. It seems to have had a resurgence the last few years but generally crowds aren't great, and part of the reason is because Australian's struggle to resonate with the teams.

If something like NRC failed, I think getting a 7s style tournament with no prior allegiances or tribalism off the ground would be fairly dire.

Yeah thats fair. Shame tho, a summer of 7's does have a nice ring to it.

 

[Strewthcobber]

A BBL style 7's comp throughout Australia would be fun. Throw in some fireworks, cheerleaders, cheap piss, and fatty food and you got bums on seats.

If this is what it takes, why don't we just do that for Super Rugby?

 

[Tazzmania]

but generally crowds aren't great,

Unless its the Perth Scorchers playing:

 

[Mr Pilfer]

Can't agree with the calls to rotate, other cities had their chance and didn't support it. Perth has been a sell out 2 years in a row and both Aussie teams made the final both years, so hard to get better than that. Plus now it has started to build more momentum and word of mouth spreads and it becomes even more popular, they might need to move in to Optus eventually. I know me and my kids look forward to this tournament now as much as any other rugby event in the year and would not be happy if it got taken away.

The Force needs to find a way to engage all the fans from Sth Africa, Kenya, France etc that came along.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Unless its the Perth Scorchers playing:

View attachment 20980

The BBL averaged 23k per game this season. Second only to the AFL.

 

[Braveheart81]

Can't agree with the calls to rotate, other cities had their chance and didn't support it. Perth has been a sell out 2 years in a row and both Aussie teams made the final both years, so hard to get better than that.

I am in favour of rotating it every few years. Three events in one city would probably be my number.

The Australian leg was held in Sydney 6 times across 8 years (didn't run for two years due to COVID) and interest gradually waned over time.

I think the reality is that you rely on a fair amount of repeat fans and they start to drop off after attending for a couple of years.

The event could probably last at hbf Park indefinitely due to the smaller capacity but I think the aspirations should be for more than that.

 

[D-Box]

I am in favour of rotating it every few years. Three events in one city would probably be my number.

The Australian leg was held in Sydney 6 times across 8 years (didn't run for two years due to COVID) and interest gradually waned over time.

I think the reality is that you rely on a fair amount of repeat fans and they start to drop off after attending for a couple of years.

The event could probably last at hbf Park indefinitely due to the smaller capacity but I think the aspirations should be for more than that.

Why?

If the $$ are from broadcast and venue paying surely the boutique venues are better and a sell out leads to demand the next year.

Hong Kong is only 40000 and thats the premier tournament on the circuit

 

[Adam84]

I thought it already was axed

I am in favour of rotating it every few years. Three events in one city would probably be my number.

The Australian leg was held in Sydney 6 times across 8 years (didn't run for two years due to COVID) and interest gradually waned over time.

I think the reality is that you rely on a fair amount of repeat fans and they start to drop off after attending for a couple of years.

The event could probably last at hbf Park indefinitely due to the smaller capacity but I think the aspirations should be for more than that.

i don't think it's that simple...

Sydney 7's started well but was then shunted around the western suburbs, including a braindead decision to host it at the Sydney Showground when the SFS was getting rebuilt and then cancelled during the COVID years. On return to the SFS the last one held in Sydney, it was actually good crowds.

Morale of the story is, maybe Western Sydney isn't a good location for rugby events.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

SFS was great. The moves and Covid stuffed it otherwise there's a chance it's still there.

Novelty will die if it hangs around. 2-3 stints at most.

HK has moved to Kai Tak Stadium which is a shame. It's bigger and a generic Football style ground. In general HK is dying for the ex pat community as it's control has been taken by mainland China. That is what made that tournament what it was.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I've been lucky enough to go to the HK 7's and it's a fantastic weekend. It helps that I love the city in general and the vibe of the place.