Ireland 7s route to Rio

smiley_face

Braken wrote: »

Considering everything we are not doing too bad...BUT...we are not going to progress unless we have contracted players....guys full time on maybe €25,000 a year....also as LS said its a totally different game especially at the top and we need to get a specific 7s coaching module in place as other countries have done..
We have the talent all depends if the IRFU have the desire...

I'd like to see the 7s be supported, it's actually a good spectator sport, and very enjoyable to play.
With the Olympics now including 7s it's a great opportunity to gain popularity.
Can anyone here suggest how a 7s programme could be brought in at schools and underage level, and how it would fit into the season calendar?
Also agree that at the top level the 7s players are specialised, but at the moment we don't have those players, yet.

Squidgy Black

I think 7s would be a great idea for smaller schools who generally struggle to get bigger sides together for cup competitions etc, not sure if the bigger schools would be too keen on it considering how much time and effort is put into SCT and even JCT teams.

The Lost Sheep

smiley_face wrote: »

I'd like to see the 7s be supported, it's actually a good spectator sport, and very enjoyable to play.
With the Olympics now including 7s it's a great opportunity to gain popularity.
Can anyone here suggest how a 7s programme could be brought in at schools and underage level, and how it would fit into the season calendar?
Also agree that at the top level the 7s players are specialised, but at the moment we don't have those players, yet.

I think playing 7s if its to get bigger we would need to not have schools competitions or clubs competitions but open competitions for all.
You could alter the season or set a period in late March/April for 3/4 weekends of 7s.

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

I think 7s would be a great idea for smaller schools who generally struggle to get bigger sides together for cup competitions etc, not sure if the bigger schools would be too keen on it considering how much time and effort is put into SCT and even JCT teams.

Or you could have competitions open to both clubs and schools. Many of the bigger schools would still have resources to compete in both to a high level and not have 7s distract from the other cups. Playing 7s could also help get kids who have only played rugby in a school get some sort of connection to a club which would help players playing longer after 17/18

P_1

Ladies through to the final with an impressive 28-5 win.

Men lose out to Russia 24-10

The Lost Sheep

Womens team have qualified for the world repechage after beating Portugal in semis
Mens team lost to Russia 24-10 in semi. must beat Georgia to make world repechage

sydneybound

Watched end of the first half and second half. Russia looked much better in fairness and deserve to go through. Hope they reach the Olympics would be great for the game.

Hagz

This livestream is a bit pervy isn't it :pac:.

guapos

is it first or second half?

VillaMad

Ireland 15-7 Georgia.

3rd place and place in the Olympics World Repechage.

irishbucsfan

Great to see Ireland playing this weekend, we're looking good although I'm afraid the next step is several orders of magnitude tougher than this weekend's competition. Lets hope the Union stick with the sport and we can get ourselves into regular competition, it would be great to see us as a series team some day, especially with a Dublin event.

The Lost Sheep

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Great to see Ireland playing this weekend, we're looking good although I'm afraid the next step is several orders of magnitude tougher than this weekend's competition. Lets hope the Union stick with the sport and we can get ourselves into regular competition, it would be great to see us as a series team some day, especially with a Dublin event.

Next step is several steps up and there is only 1 spot up for grabs. We're up to division A next year in European series. Getting to World series ASAP is the issue and getting more 7s played at age grade level and getting plenty of top level competitions for kids/adults alike

Larbre34

If both squads do nothing else it would still be a magnificent debut season. Awesome job by coaches and teams alike. Kudos to Nucifora and his development team. Nothing to lose now

RobbieRuns

To achieve what they have is vindication, they have given something to build on.

The Lost Sheep

RobbieRuns wrote: »

To achieve what they have is vindication, they have given something to build on.

vindication of what...
up to division A for next year. need to ensure promotion from that to help our chances of getting a world series place

Thud

What are the chances of the men getting an invite for a world series event or two before the World repechage next year?

Women get a chance to qualify for the world series in UCD in August, they'll need to be on the series to have a decent chance at the World Repechage.

The Lost Sheep

Thud wrote: »

What are the chances of the men getting an invite for a world series event or two before the World repechage next year?

Women get a chance to qualify for the world series in UCD in August, they'll need to be on the series to have a decent chance at the World Repechage.

Perhaps but I don't see it happening.

The other continental championships are to be played in November and world series opening 2 weekends are in December. There is a gap until next world series events at end January and start of February so the repechage is likely to be in between the December/January events. We may get a spot in Dubai or the other world series event but Its unlikely.
Agree about womens side. Hopefully they can do it

RobbieRuns

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

vindication of what...
up to division A for next year. need to ensure promotion from that to help our chances of getting a world series place

Vindication of entering a 7's team in the first place ! This is all new for a rugby loving nation like ours. The lads have all done brilliantly, they have worked hard and achieved a lot in a short space of time. Hopefully schools and clubs will start to look at playing more sevens. I was trying to be positive.

The Lost Sheep

RobbieRuns wrote: »

Vindication of entering a 7's team in the first place ! This is all new for a rugby loving nation like ours. The lads have all done brilliantly, they have worked hard and achieved a lot in a short space of time. Hopefully schools and clubs will start to look at playing more sevens. I was trying to be positive.

possibly better discussed in the other 7s thread but how would you see this getting more clubs/schools playing 7s? What would you want done to get more playing 7s at adult and age grade level?

RobbieRuns

The fact that we are entering a good sevens side in competition and getting in the national press, being successful etc surely that's only going to bring the game to the fore, lots of schools and clubs will want to run competitions, especially smaller schools. The IRFU need to get involved at grassroots and get some competitions going, building on the exposure and success of the lads. A chance to play in the Olympics is there in the future.

typhoony

i read that one of the reasons Quaid Cooper is staying in Australia for the next few years is to join the 7's sqaud preparations for Olympics next year, I assume come January 2016 we may see a few more high profile pro's getting added to 7's squads

hahashake

Has Ireland beat any of the world series teams?

Thud

hahashake wrote: »

Has Ireland beat any of the world series teams?

The current team drew with Russia at the weekend.


http://www.worldrugby.org/sevens-series/news/73819

ken76

I see that GB will be entering a team for the Olympics

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_64960,00.html

will players who are from Northern Ireland be able to play for GB? Or will IRFU put a stop to that? Hypothetically if GB approached an Ulster player who is Irish qualified but from the North say ian Humphries / Rory Scholes Willie Faloon etc, what would the situation be? Would that rule them out for playing for Ireland in the future?

The Lost Sheep

ken76 wrote: »

I see that GB will be entering a team for the Olympics

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_64960,00.html

will players who are from Northern Ireland be able to play for GB? Or will IRFU put a stop to that? Hypothetically if GB approached an Ulster player who is Irish qualified but from the North say ian Humphries / Rory Scholes Willie Faloon etc, what would the situation be? Would that rule them out for playing for Ireland in the future?

Been discussed before but....
Players from the North will play for Ireland. None from North would make GB side. Rugby is an all island sport so players from NI have to play with Ireland

The Lost Sheep

The remaining continental championships are due to be played over the next month or so we should know all our opponents for the repechage and may hear on a venue and date for that to be played soon after they are played

typhoony

any news on the next round of games? i noticed Bryan Habana has declared for the SA 7's team for Rio

only a matter of time before a big NZ name declares also

The Lost Sheep

typhoony wrote: »

any news on the next round of games? i noticed Bryan Habana has declared for the SA 7's team for Rio

only a matter of time before a big NZ name declares also

The venue for the Final qualification tournament hasn't been announced but that is due to be played next June. The Oceanic, African and Asian tournaments are on this weekend and next weekend. Asia this weekend and the other two the following weekend.
Japan to qualify from Asia with Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Sri Lanka likely to be fighting out for repechage places
Australia, Samoa, Tonga all still have to qualify from Oceania and
Kenya most likely African champions with Namibia, Zimbabwe in repechage

Sonny Bill and Liam Messam have declared theyre playing 7s world series and wont be playing 15s until after the Olympics. Ardie Savea also in NZ squad for 7s next year

thebaz

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Sonny Bill and Liam Messam have declared theyre playing 7s world series and wont be playing 15s until after the Olympics. Ardie Savea also in NZ squad for 7s next year

is there anything Sonny Bill can't do ? - twice WC winner, league international, undefeated boxer , now probable Olympic medalist and an all round good guy -

Some people are tuly gifted , nice
that there given to such a humble guy

b.gud

thebaz wrote: »

is there anything Sonny Bill can't do ? - twice WC winner, league international, undefeated boxer , now probable Olympic medalist and an all round good guy -

Some people are tuly gifted , nice
that there given to such a humble guy

Didnt he win a league WC as well as the 2 union ones?

connemara man

thebaz wrote: »

is there anything Sonny Bill can't do ? - twice WC winner, league international, undefeated boxer , now probable Olympic medalist and an all round good guy -

Some people are tuly gifted , nice
that there given to such a humble guy

So what you're saying is what a baxtard

The Lost Sheep

Japan won mens Asian competition at the weekend.
So all these countries have qualified for Rio
Brazil, Fiji, South Africa, New Zealand, Great Britain, Argentina, United States, France, Japan. There is 3 spots remaining

Hong Kong, South Korea and Sri Lanka all will be in the repechage joining us, Uruguay, Chile, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Russia, Germany.
The two remaining continental championships are next weekend with 2 automatic and 5 repechage spots up for grabs

In the womens competition Brazil, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Columbia, US, France, South Africa and Japan have qualified already. The oceanic championships are next weekend

We take on in the repechage: Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Russia, Spain, Portugal, Kenya, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Kazakstan, Hong Kong, China and 2 sides from oceanic championships

typhoony

not argentina again!!

The Lost Sheep

Both the Men's and Women's Sevens squads are playing in the II Toreno Internacional Rugby 7s tournament in Alicante, Spain this weekend.

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/36159.php#.VkNi_01i8dV

errlloyd

Does a potential ban on Russian athletes stretch to 7s, and would that impact us? (IE are they one of the teams likely to be ahead of our men come the shakeup)

NiallBoo

errlloyd wrote: »

Does a potential ban on Russian athletes stretch to 7s, and would that impact us? (IE are they one of the teams likely to be ahead of our men come the shakeup)

The ban is coming from the IAAF so it should just be athletics related.
...not that there aren't more skeletons to be discovered between now and next summer.

irishbucsfan

Any updates on the 7s would be appreciated. I'm at LI v Agen so I won't be able to keep track.

The Lost Sheep

errlloyd wrote: »

Does a potential ban on Russian athletes stretch to 7s, and would that impact us? (IE are they one of the teams likely to be ahead of our men come the shakeup)

Highly doubt it. Its focusing on Athletics and IAAF now.

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Any updates on the 7s would be appreciated. I'm at LI v Agen so I won't be able to keep track.

Have been unable to find anything so far.....

The Lost Sheep

Mens team lost to Spain 19-7 and beat Portugal 31-5. Play France and then playoffs tomorrow
Womens team beat Portugal 19-12 and lost to Britain 27-6 and lost to Spain 21-5.

ArmchairQB

Heavy defeat against France

The Lost Sheep

Men finished 3rd and Women 4th by end of Sundays games
http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/36196.php#.Vkpk401i8dU

The Lost Sheep

Final repechage tournament will take place in Monaco in June 2016.

mens competition these countries have qualified for Rio:
Brazil, Fiji, South Africa, New Zealand, Great Britain, Argentina, United States, France, Japan, Australia and Kenya

We take on Hong Kong, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, Chile, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Russia, Germany, Tonga, Samoa, Zimbabwe, Morocco and Tunisia in the repechage

In the womens competition Brazil, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Columbia, US, France, South Africa, Fiji Japan have qualified

We take on in the repechage: Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Russia, Spain, Portugal, Kenya, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Kazakstan, Hong Kong, China, Samoa and Cook Islands

Kiwi_knock

A tough task for Ireland to claim the final spot for Rio. I hope that the IRFU stick with 7s and joins the World Series.

The Lost Sheep

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

A tough task for Ireland to claim the final spot for Rio. I hope that the IRFU stick with 7s and joins the World Series.

I don't think we will qualify and we need to qualify for the world series but also need to have in place proper 7s tournaments at all grades and at age grade school age I wouldn't have it for schools competitions. I would use the clubs regardless of where people attend school and use it to help get players into clubs. It could also get more people potentially playing the sport

errlloyd

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

I would use the clubs regardless of where people attend school and use it to help get players into clubs. It could also get more people potentially playing the sport

I would have it for schools at under 16s level anyway. Get a few lads from second tier rugby school, the likes of the Andrews, Gerards, Mount Temple, Pres, etc etc in Leinster. The schools that can produce 5 talented rugby players a year, but not enough to go anywhere with a 15s squad, but might be able to showcase some talent in 7s.

Maybe run it in transition year, so it doesn't clash with junior rugby / football / gaa / hockey so those players can get a taste of the 7s. Clubs can recruit them from there.

CMOTDibbler

errlloyd wrote: »

I would have it for schools at under 16s level anyway. Get a few lads from second tier rugby school, the likes of the Andrews, Gerards, Mount Temple, Pres, etc etc in Leinster. The schools that can produce 5 talented rugby players a year, but not enough to go anywhere with a 15s squad, but might be able to showcase some talent in 7s.

Maybe run it in transition year, so it doesn't clash with junior rugby / football / gaa / hockey so those players can get a taste of the 7s. Clubs can recruit them from there.

Those smaller schools can barely get together a full squad for cup rugby. Adding sevens would not help them at all. They still want to be involved in the junior/senior cups and transition year players tend to be sucked into senior squads to boost numbers.

TLS is right, the clubs need this more. It would boost membership and open out the appeal.

The Lost Sheep

errlloyd wrote: »

I would have it for schools at under 16s level anyway. Get a few lads from second tier rugby school, the likes of the Andrews, Gerards, Mount Temple, Pres, etc etc in Leinster. The schools that can produce 5 talented rugby players a year, but not enough to go anywhere with a 15s squad, but might be able to showcase some talent in 7s.

Maybe run it in transition year, so it doesn't clash with junior rugby/ football/gaa/hockey so those players can get a taste of the 7s. Clubs can recruit them from there.

I think we have to remove the focus on schools. The fall off from the sport at 16-21 needs to be worked on and that's why focusing on the schools would be wrong. Use the clubs. You can(or at least should be able to) play with a club from the age of 6 to 60 so do that.
When you say "go anywhere with a 15s squad" where is it that schools like those should be going?
I would run 7s in clubs at 13s/14s/16s/18s/20s. 13s and 14s as kids are in 6th class/1st year/2nd year. 16s gets the 3rd years and some 4th years. 18s gets a mix of all senior cycle and 20s gets some still in school, some in 3rd level and then those who work/not in education.

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

Those smaller schools can barely get together a full squad for cup rugby. Adding sevens would not help them at all. They still want to be involved in the junior/senior cups and transition year players tend to be sucked into senior squads to boost numbers.

TLS is right, the clubs need this more. It would boost membership and open out the appeal.

What schools are you referring to cant get a squad. The clubs in combination with the schools would be where this works with players attending any school playing but in the club. There is plenty of kids no matter what team they play on in school be it the u14 As or Ds or Es or the junior 1sts or 4ths etc who go from the day they enter secondary school to the day they leave never once playing rugby for a club team and therefore links with clubs are harder to get/maintain/keep and we lose far more from the sport than we should

The Lost Sheep

Iker Repulsive Syntax wrote: »

i know years ago we played one or two 7s schools tourneys with the likes of christians, pres, rockwell, crescent and they where a bit of fun but despite there being some serious players at it they where almost a mess around. if they had a few comps like that a year and found a way to make them competitive (maby with the caliber of athlete it would take care of itself if it was done a few times you could build up rivalrys) it could be invaluable to helping develop a 7s team

edit: heres the one http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/6638.php#.VksnS7QqdBw

I wouldn't have played in that competition on the link but quite a few of my team mates did. Problem with those are and that example especially is its a closed shop with just the usual "rugby schools" competing - 8 of 12 teams are the rugby A schools.....
That's why I propose open club competitions. No schools compete. In areas where the clubs games is at some grades non existent it gets kids to link with clubs they otherwise wouldn't.

errlloyd

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

I think we have to remove the focus on schools. The fall off from the sport at 16-21 needs to be worked on and that's why focusing on the schools would be wrong. Use the clubs. You can(or at least should be able to) play with a club from the age of 6 to 60 so do that.
When you say "go anywhere with a 15s squad" where is it that schools like those should be going?

I don't mean those schools replace their 15s programs with 7s programs at all. Though I understand how you got that impression from my post! I simply think say if there was a transition year tournament for example it would give those players a chance of advancing further than they could with their Juniors or Seniors teams, and this might give them more enthusiasm for the sport (which may lead them to a club) or even more recognition from the sport.

The only example I can think of is actually a poor one, but it's Jordan Larmour who is currently a 6th year in Andrews. He played on the Seniors when he was in 4th year, but he was primarily a hockey player. Andrews had their best run since the 20s that year, and he was one of their best players and duly got recognised for that and called up to Leinster age grade, at which point I think he turned his focus to rugby. Almost any other year in Andrews history they would have either A: Not made the cup, or B: Crashed out in the second round without ever passing the ball out to the winger, and he would have gone back to hockey. Now he may never be a professional, I've no idea tbh. As I say, any other year he might have never got the chance to prove himself.

The 7s would just give a platform to those players, as well as making the sport accessible in a new way. I think for multi sport schools it is also easier for someone to enter into late than rugby. When I write it out I realise it is quite a specific objective for a 7s program! It basically gives players who can't excel in 15s because of their schools limitations a chance to excel at rugby, and hopefully from that join a club.

The Lost Sheep

errlloyd wrote: »

I don't mean those schools replace their 15s programs with 7s programs at all. Though I understand how you got that impression from my post! I simply think say if there was a transition year tournament for example it would give those players a chance of advancing further than they could with their Juniors or Seniors teams, and this might give them more enthusiasm for the sport (which may lead them to a club) or even more recognition from the sport.

The only example I can think of is actually a poor one, but it's Jordan Larmour who is currently a 6th year in Andrews. He played on the Seniors when he was in 4th year, but he was primarily a hockey player. Andrews had their best run since the 20s that year, and he was one of their best players and duly got recognised for that and called up to Leinster age grade, at which point I think he turned his focus to rugby. Almost any other year in Andrews history they would have either A: Not made the cup, or B: Crashed out in the second round without ever passing the ball out to the winger, and he would have gone back to hockey. Now he may never be a professional, I've no idea tbh. As I say, any other year he might have never got the chance to prove himself.

The 7s would just give a platform to those players, as well as making the sport accessible in a new way. I think for multi sport schools it is also easier for someone to enter into late than rugby. When I write it out I realise it is quite a specific objective for a 7s program! It basically gives players who can't excel in 15s because of their schools limitations a chance to excel at rugby, and hopefully from that join a club.

I just think we need to look to the clubs for 7s as it has multiple advantages over using schools especially the current main rugby playing schools.
I got it about schools not replacing 15s with 7s. Yes there should be under 16/17 level competitions for those in transition year etc but these competitions should be clubs orientated and get guys who are not playing very serious rugby in school back playing club rugby. This builds ties with clubs that are otherwise may be lost. Look at all the teams at under 20 level. The best all gravitate to a small number of clubs. If there was better links between players and clubs with the help of the schools this would help improve the standard of clubs 20s and potentially keep more playing the sport.

The Lost Sheep

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

I wouldn't have played in that competition on the link but quite a few of my team mates did. Problem with those are and that example especially is its a closed shop with just the usual "rugby schools" competing - 8 of 12 teams are the rugby A schools.....
That's why I propose open club competitions. No schools compete. In areas where the clubs games is at some grades non existent it gets kids to link with clubs they otherwise wouldn't.

i don't think so it was anyone who applied could get in as far as i know not as sure about Limerick but colaiste choilm in particular has never competed at munster cup level and i wouldn't say clonmel or the east cork team would be to serious a team either. i know christians,pres, rockwell where there but its nice to have some munster quality players there as well and unfortunately the way the club system is denied schools players there is little chance of that bar the odd outlier like james cronin in club rugby any more