Rugby Sevens Taking the World by Storm

Rugby sevens, the seven-a-side type of rugby union, has taken the entire world by storm. Played through the entire South Pacific, Asia, Africa, Europe as well as the Americas, sevens really is really a global game. It is often a fixture in the Commonwealth Games since 1998, that is won all times by New Zealand. Now Rugby Sevens has reached the pinnacle, having its introduction as a possible Olympic Sport.

Last year the International Olympic Committee (IOC) dicated to consist of Rugby Sevens in the 2016 Olympic Games to adopt place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Previously the premier competition for rugby sevens ended up The Rugby World Cup Sevens, which was played each 4 years because 1993. Sixteen teams contest the entire world cup using a vigorous qualifications schedule. Nevertheless, like a condition of Olympic entry the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens is going to be the last.

Rugby Sevens is played underneath the identical rules as 15 man rugby union, just with fewer players. The real key regions of Rugby Union, the tackle ball or ruck, the scrum and lineout all stay in rugby sevens, but fewer players contesting every set piece. Much like union, tries are worth five points including a two point conversion. Penalties and drop objectives are worth 3 points. Each half of rugby sevens is seven minutes, with a half time break of one minute. To get a tournament final, every half is often extended to ten minutes each. Since from the decreased length and also the additional space from fewer players, rugby sevens is known because of its open running and fast scoring. Players can be renowned because of their running lines, passing and handling abilities. A lot of well-known players cut their teeth in rugby sevens, including Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen, Zinzan Brooke, George Gregan, Joe Roff and Lawrence Dallaglio.

Game outcomes are a lot more unpredictable in rugby sevens, with less of an gap between the very best teams, as opposed to rugby union and that is traditionally covered with some teams at a time. As an example, since 1993 the Rugby Sevens World Cup has been won by England, Fiji, New Zealand and Wales with Australia, South Africa and Argentina contesting finals. Because 1987, the Rugby Union has been won by New Zealand, Australia, Nigeria and England. Really the only Rugby Union World Cup team outside of those winners to even result in the final have been France.

Outside running, exciting tries and unpredictable outcomes make rugby sevens an very well-known game, particularly for live audiences. The short amount of every game, only fifteen minutes, enables whole tournaments being played more than a weekend. Tournaments will often have second or perhaps third tier of finals, for example a plate final, permitting teams who are knocked out early still stay active inside the tournament.

For those these factors, rugby sevens tournaments are known for festival atmosphere, with significantly dressing up and partying. Stadiums are generally full of sets of men and women wearing theme and dancing in the aisles. The pinnacle with this party atmosphere could be the Hong Kong Sevens tournament, the crown jewel from the sevens circuit. The Hong Kong tournament introduced the entire world for the incomparable Jonah Lomu and legendary players like Christian Cullen, William Ryder, Marika Vunibaka and Bryan Habana to name a few.

As a fast paced, fun, unpredictable game played and watched in very good spirit, it’s it’s no surprise that the action of rugby sevens has taken the globe by storm. Which consists of induction into the Summer Olympics the game is only going to get stronger.

Read more about Rugby Sevens or get out our Rugby Blog.

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