Commit or miss Olympics: sevens coach

[The InnFORCEr]

Ed Jackson,
AAP
October 9, 2013, 10:10 am


Australia's rugby superstars need to make a long-term commitment to sevens if they want to be part of the sport's Olympic debut in Rio in 2016.

The 2013-14 IRB world sevens series kicks off this weekend on the Gold Coast and Australia have once again picked a squad of specialist sevens players for the tournament.

Coach Michael O'Connor says he won't be picking any Wallabies or Super Rugby stars merely for the sake of headlines by the time the Olympics come around.

O'Connor feels if an Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale or Quade Cooper want to line-up in Rio, they need to make a commitment at least 12-18 months before the Olympics to the shortened version of the game.

"We have been building a young side and the bulk of the team we'll take to Rio in 2016 will be guys who've been in the program and gone to Super 15 or are currently in the program now," O'Connor told AAP.

"We're now starting to get these guys two or three years into sevens. They're really building valuable experience and that's just essential for the Olympics.

"If you just fill a side up with national 15s players the year of the Olympics, that's a recipe for failure.

"It's not about getting star players for the sake of a headline."

O'Connor said "one or two" top-level players had expressed an interest in playing sevens at the Olympics.

Qualifying for Rio begins with next year's IRB world series before regional tournaments are held in 2015.

O'Connor said players need time to learn about sevens and to also integrate themselves in the team and any stars keen on playing in Rio need to commit well out from the Games.

"For a lot of them it's down the track and they'd have to make a substantial commitment to the program. Not just a case of coming over in 2016," he said.

"Those that have played sevens before, they'd at least have to commit after the (2015) World Cup to the Olympics.

"The squad's coming together quite nicely. We're on track for the next couple of years to have a very successful sevens outfit."

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...-sevens-coach/

[Alison]

I like what he's saying.

Can't imagine how crushing it must be to work your way up to being in the national team for the biggest moment of your life only for a "superstar" to parachute himself in to the spot you've sweat blood and tears over for yonks!

A la the young bloke who'll have to cede his spot in the NZ RLWC squad coz SBW changed his mind after the bell (assuming they have him back)

[TOCC]

Not only that, 7's is a niche sport and even for some of the highly talented Wallabies who athletically suited to the game it will take them quite a bit of time to become familiar with the style of play and small nuances.

[chibi]

I wonder if there's any foreign-based players who could make themselves available?

[UNCLE BOOG]

well, one of them will be there:

[GAFFA]

^^ Doughuts making a comeback?

[brokendown gunfighter]

well he is a dropkick specialist