The new competition format adopted in Dubai and presumably the 2016-17 World Rugby Sevens Series is somehow, in my opinion, a twist to shut out supremacy in the shortened rugby code.Firstly, the 14 minutes final game time introduced at Dubai was a top-down approach.I wonder if the change was to accommodate the inclusion of the ranking games such as the 4th and 5th position, etc.
However, that would not be the case as 6 minutes is not enough to accommodate women’s sevens rugby at the same venue.
Furthermore, our Rio gold achievement could have been sour grapes to major rugby power nations with million dollar budgets at their disposal.
The introduction of challenge trophy (formerly bowl), renaming of 3rd and 4th position playoff (now bronze medal) and cup final (now gold/silver medal).
It simply means we are having Olympic Games in every leg of the series.
I do think, this is an indirect way of awarding other nations who had hoped for that first place in Rio and thus bury all the glory our rugby gladiators achieved this year.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics would mean nothing to some teams or players as cabinets would be filled with medals by then.
Awaiting gold medals around player’s necks for another four years would be fitting as all teams would hunger for it, therefore, creating fierce competitions among all.
While the format would be seen rewarding, if it continues ? 2020 Tokyo will never be the same as 2016 Rio.
It would also be interesting to research all cup finals in which our boys played in under former coach Ben Ryan for the past three years on how they performed (scoreline) during the first 14 minutes from the full 20.
Did analysts find out we were accustomed to catch up rugby?
Lastly, acknowledgment to Oscar and the boys for their achievement in Dubai.
We all hope for the best in South Africa. The women’s team has their best ever ranking after the Desert tourney ? 5th.
Whether World Rugby will change game time from 14 to 10 minutes, Fiji loves its 7s rugby and will continue to be a force with very limited resources just as Bruce Southwick puts it in rolls ? sevens from Heaven.
Welcome to 7s country Gareth Baber!
