Comments on: New promotional video endorsing sevens rugby for the 2016 Olympics http://www.whatisrugby.com/2008/08/28/new-promotional-video-endorsing-sevens-rugby-for-the-2016-olympics/ Straightforward rugby commentary from a North American perspective Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:00:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Andy P http://www.whatisrugby.com/2008/08/28/new-promotional-video-endorsing-sevens-rugby-for-the-2016-olympics/#comment-9395 Andy P Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:26:34 +0000 http://www.whatisrugby.com/2008/08/28/new-promotional-video-endorsing-sevens-rugby-for-the-2016-olympics/#comment-9395 Two issues spring to mind from this video, both of which go to the question of player availability; i) Elite 7's has developed so much over the last few years that it has a completely different player base from the elite 15's game. Clubs already release players to national squads for the IRB World Sevens circus, the Olympics could be treated as just another stop on that tour. ii) Actual 7's footage aside, the vast majority of talking heads in the video, do not play 7's , I think that's a bit disingenuous of the IRB and if there's anyone in the IOC that expects Lawrence Dallaglio (yes he played in the England 7 that won the inaugural World cup but that was a lifetime ago) or Johnny Wilkinson to grace an Olympic Tournament they'll be sadly disappointed. As for the ELVs making rugby more attractive to the IOC, the few games I've seen so far this season (Guiness Premiership) have been <u>ruined</u> by these so call improvements........sell our game on it's merits, not by changing it to suit. Two issues spring to mind from this video, both of which go to the question of player availability;

i) Elite 7’s has developed so much over the last few years that it has a completely different player base from the elite 15’s game. Clubs already release players to national squads for the IRB World Sevens circus, the Olympics could be treated as just another stop on that tour.

ii) Actual 7’s footage aside, the vast majority of talking heads in the video, do not play 7’s , I think that’s a bit disingenuous of the IRB and if there’s anyone in the IOC that expects Lawrence Dallaglio (yes he played in the England 7 that won the inaugural World cup but that was a lifetime ago) or Johnny Wilkinson to grace an Olympic Tournament they’ll be sadly disappointed.

As for the ELVs making rugby more attractive to the IOC, the few games I’ve seen so far this season (Guiness Premiership) have been ruined by these so call improvements……..sell our game on it’s merits, not by changing it to suit.

]]> By: Shags http://www.whatisrugby.com/2008/08/28/new-promotional-video-endorsing-sevens-rugby-for-the-2016-olympics/#comment-9124 Shags Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:23:19 +0000 http://www.whatisrugby.com/2008/08/28/new-promotional-video-endorsing-sevens-rugby-for-the-2016-olympics/#comment-9124 I think even with amateur players, 7's rugby in the Olympics would attract a large fan base and be more exciting than a bulk of the sports that the Olympics offer. Good video clip too... still love the "World in Union" trademark. I think even with amateur players, 7’s rugby in the Olympics would attract a large fan base and be more exciting than a bulk of the sports that the Olympics offer.

Good video clip too… still love the "World in Union" trademark.

]]> By: Vic http://www.whatisrugby.com/2008/08/28/new-promotional-video-endorsing-sevens-rugby-for-the-2016-olympics/#comment-8761 Vic Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:13:37 +0000 http://www.whatisrugby.com/2008/08/28/new-promotional-video-endorsing-sevens-rugby-for-the-2016-olympics/#comment-8761 You might be right about players being generally available, but this a a big money venture for the IOC. So contractual guarantees from clubs (even if they are never required from a practical stand-point) will need to be in place for the IRB to consider rugby IMO. You might be right about players being generally available, but this a a big money venture for the IOC. So contractual guarantees from clubs (even if they are never required from a practical stand-point) will need to be in place for the IRB to consider rugby IMO.

]]> By: Josh Houston http://www.whatisrugby.com/2008/08/28/new-promotional-video-endorsing-sevens-rugby-for-the-2016-olympics/#comment-8759 Josh Houston Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:36:30 +0000 http://www.whatisrugby.com/2008/08/28/new-promotional-video-endorsing-sevens-rugby-for-the-2016-olympics/#comment-8759 Good video. I love how there wasn't one clip of any US rugby. The "pregnant" Mom pulling a ball out from under her shirt was a little strange though. In regards to player availability, it really shouldn't be an issue. None of the club teams are playing at the time and there are usually no test matches during the Olympics. The only rugby going on is the Tri-Nations, which has little if not zero players who play 7's. The only other rugby being played that could be affected would be the Air NZ Cup. But letting those guys play in the Olympics would do more for a country like New Zealand than the Air NZ Cup could. Good video. I love how there wasn’t one clip of any US rugby. The "pregnant" Mom pulling a ball out from under her shirt was a little strange though.

In regards to player availability, it really shouldn’t be an issue. None of the club teams are playing at the time and there are usually no test matches during the Olympics. The only rugby going on is the Tri-Nations, which has little if not zero players who play 7’s. The only other rugby being played that could be affected would be the Air NZ Cup. But letting those guys play in the Olympics would do more for a country like New Zealand than the Air NZ Cup could.

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