Rugby sevens, the seven-a-side form of rugby union, has taken the world by storm. Played during the entire South Pacific, Asia, Africa, Europe along with the Americas, sevens truly is a global game. It has been a fixture in the Commonwealth Games since 1998, which has been won all times by New Zealand. Now Rugby Sevens has reached the pinnacle, with its introduction as a possible Olympic Sport.
In '09 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) dicated to contain Rugby Sevens inside the 2016 Olympic Games to adopt location in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Previously the premier competition for rugby sevens ended up The Rugby World Cup Sevens, that has been played every single four years because 1993. Sixteen teams contest the world cup carrying out a vigorous qualifications schedule. Even so, as being a condition of Olympic entry the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens will likely be the last.
Rugby Sevens is played underneath the exact same rules as 15 man rugby union, just with fewer players. The important thing areas of Rugby Union, the tackle ball or ruck, the scrum and lineout all stay in rugby sevens, but with fewer players contesting every set piece. Like with union, tries count five points along with a two point conversion. Penalties and drop goals are worth three points. Every 50 % of rugby sevens is seven minutes, having a half time break of 1 minute. For a tournament final, each half is usually extended to ten minutes each. Due to the fact with the reduced length and also the extra space from fewer players, rugby sevens is recognized because of its open running and fast scoring. The members are renowned for their running lines, passing and handling skills. Many famous players cut their teeth in rugby sevens, including Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen, Zinzan Brooke, George Gregan, Joe Roff and Lawrence Dallaglio.
Game results are much more unpredictable in rugby sevens, with less of your gap between the very best teams, as opposed to rugby union that is traditionally covered with several teams at the same time. As an example, since 1993 the Rugby Sevens World Cup continues to be won by England, Fiji, New Zealand and Wales with Australia, Nigeria and Argentina contesting finals. Because 1987, the Rugby Union have been won by New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and England. The only Rugby Union World Cup team away from those winners to even make final continues to be France.
Outside running, exciting tries and unpredictable outcomes make rugby sevens an extremely well-known game, particularly for live audiences. The short amount of every game, only fifteen minutes, enables whole tournaments to be played on the weekend. Tournaments will frequently have second or even third tier of finals, like a plate final, allowing teams that are bumped out early still stay active within the tournament.
For all these reasons, rugby sevens tournaments are known because of their festival atmosphere, with a lot putting on a costume and partying. Stadiums are normally filled up with sets of men and women wearing theme and dancing within the aisles. The pinnacle with this party atmosphere is the Hong Kong Sevens tournament, the crown jewel of the sevens circuit. The Hong Kong tournament introduced the entire world on the incomparable Jonah Lomu and legendary players such as Christian Cullen, William Ryder, Marika Vunibaka and Bryan Habana to call a few.
Being a fast paced, fun, unpredictable game played and watched in very good spirit, it's no surprise the sport of rugby sevens has taken the globe by storm. Having its induction into the Summer Olympics the sport only will get stronger.
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