Big name players converting to sevens for the Olympics.

[Rhyer]

While I'm sure the olympics is pretty enticing already, how many international rugby players do you think are considering getting involved with their respective sevens framework? I heard an interesting rumour that SBW is considering sevens for the olympics and even Dan Carter. How unlikely is it and do you think big xv game players like O'Connor, Beale, O'Brien, Picamoles, Read, Hougaard and such would fare quite well in sevens on the biggest stage of all? I think it's more suited to loose forwards and backs rather than the tight five.

 

[Patchey]

This got floated a few weeks ago in the UK with the suggestion that George North and others might convert. Got shot down pretty quickly...

 

[Aoniu]

Well I believe that if they ever do convert to 7's they should not be given any special treatment because their stars in 15's game and they have to compete at least two comps in the international circuit prior to been in contention for Olympics. Though they a draw cards to matches I personally would go with the season campaigners and only allow 3 full 15 man a side players per squad just to be fair to those who have been playing sevens most of their Rugby Career.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

None, and they'd be stupid to as it would negatively impact their XVs.
Two different games, which different skill sets and, more importantly, fitness requirements.

Sevens specialists rarely make the crossover to XVs - apart from youngers guys who cut their teeth on the circuit before focusing on 7s.
Can't think of any who play both to the highest level - Steffon Armitage tried a year or two ago and was pants. Tom Varndell, who was great in 7s, played a tournament or two a few years ago, and wasn't half the player he was.
The XVs players would need a season or two to truely get into it, but even then they'd probably get taken apart by the 7s guys.

 

[Helmy]

I can imagine SBW would be the type to convert to 7s during an Olympic year, then sign a one year contract with some other club straight after. I'm sure the idea of an Olympic medal would really appeal to the guy.

I know one year at the Commonwealth Games Doug Howlett converted to 7s to join the NZ team, but IIRC, he got injured. I'm sure there were a couple of others who did the same that year, but Howlett was the biggest name at the time.

So, yes, I do think some players will have a shot at 7s for the chance to win at the Olympics. However, those who switched for the Commonwealth Games actually weren't as good as those who'd been touring around the circuit for years. Understandably, it's not that easy to switch between the two forms. For New Zealand, I think someone like Cory Jane, who made his name with 7s, would be most likely to have a crack at it, because he's got that experience.

 

[Aoniu]

Yea I agree the transition into both games is hell hard and it will be demanding what i like to see is those Like Victor Vito and co came back to the game though it may be suited to some those who know sevens inside out will eat those Showponys who think it will be a stroll in the park.

 

[nickdnz]

I don't think the transition is as big as people make out. Hosea Gear played in the last 7's tournamen and was good throughout. When he came back to XV's he came back fitter and faster (same with Liam Messam). Players like Christian Cullen and Jonah Lomu played 7's for 5-6 years while they were in the national teams - they are arguably the best 7's players in their respective positions. All 7's players are really taken out of the ITM Cup in New Zealand anyway...

That being said - I think they'll need to play some 7's beforehand just to get defensive positioning and tactics right.

 

[Thingimubob]

7s can certainly help 15s players, I remember Andy Powell didn't get noticed at all by anyone until he came back to the Cardiff 1st XV after doing half a season in 7s.

I'm very interested to see how the selection will be done, especially considering a lot of teams don't actually have full time 7s players. Wales and Scotland for example (as far as I know) pretty much exclusively use it as a developmental too, so it'll be interesting if there's a change in policy and we start seeing more full time 7s players from them. Dunno if I like that, so many Welsh players have come through/improved themselves on the 7s circuit recently (Hook, Cuthbert, Lloyd Williams and Aled Brew to name a few).

 

[Shaggy]

Yes, from the NZ point of view, I wouldn't be surprised to see some of the XVs players try to make the squad ... players like Adam Thomson and Liam Messam in the forwards, although Thomson may be too old by then. Julian Savea and his brother Ardie might feature, and as Nick already mentioned, Hosea Gear might have another go ... I'd be interested to see Dan Carter play sevens ... might bring a few extra tricks to the game.

From a Canadian view point, many of their XVs players, already are in their Sevens squads already

... I'm also interested in the rise of non traditional rugby nations in both Mens and Womens Sevens, by the time it debuts at the Olympics ... there's a fair bit of money being thrown into development in some countries .. but, I guess that's a discussion for another thread

 

[j'nuh]

Can't think of any who play both to the highest level - Steffon Armitage tried a year or two ago and was pants. Tom Varndell, who was great in 7s, played a tournament or two a few years ago, and wasn't half the player he was.

Foden and Biggs were in the England sevens team back in 08(?) I think. Both seemed good to me.

But I agree. I reckon only players who have a fair bit of prior experience and also switch to the sevens circuit as soon as the RWC is finished have a shot.

 

[Amobokoboko]

I read somewhere that Shaun Johnson ( NRL) is thinking about it aswell.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Gio Aplon was a 7's star before making a successful cross over to the XV man game.

In SA we have a 7's premier league coming up as an attempt by the city of George to make up for losing the IRB SA 7's leg to Port Elizabeth which involves 5 of the SA Super rugby franchizes, 6 private teams and funnily enough the Kaizer's Chiefs.

Big names being touted are confirmed Quade Cooper and unconfirmed Sonny Bill Williams, Shane Williams and various SA players. It's set for middle December so is around the corner.

Here is a link;
http://www.sevenspremierleague.co.za/

EIDT; It looks like Cooper might have pulled out (why doesn't this surprise me LOL) but Ben Gollings and Zar Lawrence are famous, well at least in the 7's circle.

I think the Cheetahs have a very exciting squad for 7's named;Ryno Benjamin, Robbie van Schalkwyk, Marnus Schoeman, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Leon Karemaker, Boom Prinsloo, Pieter van Zyl, Sarel Pretorius, Willie le Roux, Riaan Smit, Barry Geel, Cameron Jacobs, Raymond Rhule, Philip Burger, Kevin Luiters and Johann Sadie.

 

[Zed]

The main issue they are going to face is getting their clubs to release them I would imagine. From England Tuilagi & Ashton would be good.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Foden and Biggs were in the England sevens team back in 08(?) I think. Both seemed good to me.

Play, not played
There's a ton of player who played it when younger, but not anymore - can't think of any that do now.
Most are registered with clubs (in England usually championship or lower) but rarely turn out for them.

 

[psychic duck]

To select the GB Sevens squad I think they should have a trial series where the national Sevens teams of England, Scotland and Wales face the Sevens sides from England, Scotland and Wales made up of Union players who used to play Sevens but have now stopped like Tom Varndell for example. With the best players from the tournament making the team.

That way we would get a better idea if the full time Sevens side has a big advantage over Union players who used to play Sevens.

 

[nickdnz]

Play, not played
There's a ton of player who played it when younger, but not anymore - can't think of any that do now.
Most are registered with clubs (in England usually championship or lower) but rarely turn out for them.

That's an English thing though. Like I said - pretty much all the NZ 7's team play XV's in the NPC - with a pretty short turn around. I'm sure someone like Tom Varndell or Ugo Monye would be very capable on the wing in 7's with a short training camp and a bit of time in a previous tournament.

To select the GB Sevens squad I think they should have a trial series where the national Sevens teams of England, Scotland and Wales face the Sevens sides from England, Scotland and Wales made up of Union players who used to play Sevens but have now stopped like Tom Varndell for example. With the best players from the tournament making the team.

That way we would get a better idea if the full time Sevens side has a big advantage over Union players who used to play Sevens.

In NZ we have the Pub Charity Rugby 7's tournament in Queenstown. It's pretty much each province selecting a 7's team and play in a tournament. Before the Olympics I'd expect a few high profile XV specialists and maybe even league players - to stick there hand up (probably from playing more local 7's) and be selected for their province. It then gives a fairly good indicator as to where a player is at. Wouldn't be a bad idea in my opinion if GB used a similar model.

 

[big ginger 8]

We need to actually get a 7s team before we can think about this.

 

[Peat]

None, and they'd be stupid to as it would negatively impact their XVs.
Two different games, which different skill sets and, more importantly, fitness requirements.

Sevens specialists rarely make the crossover to XVs - apart from youngers guys who cut their teeth on the circuit before focusing on 7s.
Can't think of any who play both to the highest level - Steffon Armitage tried a year or two ago and was pants. Tom Varndell, who was great in 7s, played a tournament or two a few years ago, and wasn't half the player he was.
The XVs players would need a season or two to truely get into it, but even then they'd probably get taken apart by the 7s guys.

Ollie Phillips just went back to 7s on a full time contract - dunno how he's getting on.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Been injured all season so far.
How did he get on in union? I know he was at Stade and then Gloucester but I never saw him play. Was a good 7s player in his day, though.

Sent from my HTC Incredible S using Tapatalk 2

 

[willrobinson]

wales team would be for me

Shingler
powell
turnball
williams
hook
prydie
north

Shingler,powell,Turnballfront row
shane williams, scrum half
hook,flyhalf
north, centre
prydie, full back

btw dont have a clue about 7's aha