Opinions

While David Cantu would like nothing more than to see Sevens at the Olympic games he admits that he hopes it doesn't come at too great a cost to the entertaining version of the game.

After reflecting back on the Rugby World Cup Sevens I attended in Dubai, I started thinking about what would happen if 7's DID make it to the Olympics -  would the teams then start to resemble the same professional lot like some other Olympic sports do? (e.g Basketball, Football).

We saw it start happening at the World Cup - Fiji had ALL new players, New Zealand bought in Victor Vito, England, Tom Varndell and even my own U.S. team had Takudzwa Ngwenya (He of Habana beating fame!)

Yes, all of them were 7's players in the past, but some hadn't played for over a year or longer. It's not that it was an unfair advantage to other nations, as much as it was a slap in the face to those players who were already playing 7's for their team and then were either sent to the bench or even worse, left off the team because of these last minute additions.

What is so refreshing about 7's is that it's still considered to be mainly an amateur sport. Sure guys are paid, but not to the extent that Tom, Victor or Takudzwa are.

To keep 7's somewhat clean of teams trying to gain a possible unfair advantage from utilizing XV's players during a RWC year or the Olympics, I believe the IRB have to make it mandatory that those players would have to play at least 50-75% of the 7’s series games prior to the 7’s RWC.

If its during an Olympic year, they must play in 75% of the series leading up to the Olympics. Granted injuries happen, any exemption to the rule should only apply to those that were injured while playing 7’s.

It makes it a more even playing field for teams to know whom they'll actually be playing against and protects them from being surprised by a late entry of a player or players.

All players on a 7's international team should have to earn their position, not just be given it at the expense of a countryman who has been there playing all year long - let's not corrupt the wonderful game of Sevens with too much professionalism just yet.

Cheers for now,

David Cantu
Thumrait, Oman

David was the winner of the inaugural Rugby Rugby competition - So you think you can write Competition.  Be the next to have your articles and opinions expressed on Rugby Rugby. CLICK HERE to send in your opinion piece.