All-new Scotland Sevens and Re-start Efficiency Thread

[septic 9]

Seems a reasonable decision for a year but I really hope it is not long term

I think 7s get's tied up in knots with the development question. Yeah, it's great if it leads to more good 15s players but 7s is a type of rugby and, as such, I want Scotland to be involved in it and do well. The development is a bonus that helps justify spending more on it.

bolded bit - correct. Especially with fans.
What is the 7s for? That is a key question

There is player development. Its true to say it hasn't produced an endless stream of players for the national team, but some have gone on to that. Some more have gone on to the pro teams. And some get found out - too many missed tackles, poor decisions and simply do not cope with the demands of pro rugby, the full time training, the pressure, the travel etc etc. It does weed out some who look as if they might be full pro or test standard with exposing them to the big boys in XVs. Development is more IMHO than just expecting great players, in the absence of pro A teams, 7s has been a useful and cheap tool.

And we have used it to develop coaches as well - again with only 2 pro teams, this is another option for that. And the same tests as I applied to players apply to them as well.

Finally, 7s has been for a decade the fasting growing part of rugby. The international circuit is a great showcase. It is an entry point for lots of countries to a bigger profile (Kenya eg). The USA recent success will do more to push its profile there than MLR or a round of RWC defeats every 4 years. I often wonder why those who go on about helping to develop and expand the game are among the first to say 7s isn't a priority.

I like 7s, was too slow and shot ever to be any good at it, but my support has nothing to do with nostalgia or emotion. Its common sense, and financial sense

[septic 9]

Should the Super 6 reach a decent level it may hurt the 7s. It is probably more important that players play 15s to a decent level to prepare for the step up rather than 7s.

S6 might impact on 10 of the 15 positions, but it isn't and shouldn't be an either or. Players are tested in different ways in both - S6 players won't have to tour or train full time. Pressures can be very different.

[septic 9]

I don't know about that - the RFU pulled the plug on England 7s fairly abruptly and a good chunk of our players have had to go find employment elsewhere.

Puja

and those who want to go to the Olympics will be back, and/or added to by predominantly more English players, selected again by an english coach. I think england qualified or would have to be the "entry team", and I've no problem with the squad being mainly english, but this team GB funding is just a replacement for the RFU funding for what will be pretty much an England squad

I don't think 7s should be in the Olympics anyway.

[septic 9]

We are struggling to fund our 15s sides correctly and hold onto any talent. In the current climate we have made a business decision to access funding.

eh, the SRU have not disbanded the 7s team. They have I understand let a couple of players go after their contract expired, but specifically not pulled the team. How much funding do you think we will get from the one or 2 token players in team GB, to offset their salary and that of rest of the squad?

Always remember that our 7s players are paid peanuts, and travel and accommodation on the WR circuit paid by WR

[Puja]

I don't think 7s should be in the Olympics anyway.

How come?

Puja

[septic 9]

I don't think 7s should be in the Olympics anyway.

How come?

Puja

for starters same reason I don't think soccer, tennis, golf or whatever other nonsense has been added should not be. Couple that with the vestiges of the various empires adding in their current favourite western fad as a "Trial sport". A concession that will never be offered to a developing nation. Alternatively, if they are all in, then all should be the full game (for rugby, 15, not 7s) and all should be about sending the best. Not the UK under 23 tennis champion equivalent or whatever soccer does these days. Of course then we would have no need for a WC or RWC every 4 years. Olympics has become neither fish not foul for me. I used to watch every second I could. Find it hard to raise an interest for it these days

[Big D]

We are struggling to fund our 15s sides correctly and hold onto any talent. In the current climate we have made a business decision to access funding.

eh, the SRU have not disbanded the 7s team. They have I understand let a couple of players go after their contract expired, but specifically not pulled the team. How much funding do you think we will get from the one or 2 token players in team GB, to offset their salary and that of rest of the squad?

Always remember that our 7s players are paid peanuts, and travel and accommodation on the WR circuit paid by WR

Well they have disbanded/mothballed/paused it for this season. They are restarting after the 2021 season. They will redeploy their assets to bolster pro squads for the rest of the season, probably furlough some and any contracts not taken up will see the money used elsewhere.

5 years ago when Johnson said it costs 1m it was quickly debunked and thought to be closer to 400k. Even at the same funding level that is 400k of assets used elsewhere to help stop the need for injury signings etc.

As I said, I don't think missing the 7s for a year is a great concern

[General Zod]

The Olympics is a load of drug-addled horse shit. It’s worse than rugby league. With the recent addition of disco dancing to the sporting pantheon, I’m guessing that they’ll need to test for ketamine now as well.

[Big D]

The Olympics is a load of drug-addled horse shit. It’s worse than rugby league. With the recent addition of disco dancing to the sporting pantheon, I’m guessing that they’ll need to test for ketamine now as well.

But yet it is the easiest way for fans to watch 7s (along with the commonwealth games).

Spetic makes a point about expanding the games and the part 7s plays. Completely valid. But in Scotland if you can't afford the pay tv package you get to see a couple of hours of Melrose 7s a year. Unless you go digging on the internet for it. Which most non rugby fans most definitely won't do.

Losing the 7s side for a season shouldn't have that big an impact. If they cut the number of teams then we need to be good enough to qualify.

[septic 9]

Well they have disbanded/mothballed/paused it for this season. They are restarting after the 2021 season. They will redeploy their assets to bolster pro squads for the rest of the season, probably furlough some and any contracts not taken up will see the money used elsewhere.

5 years ago when Johnson said it costs 1m it was quickly debunked and thought to be closer to 400k. Even at the same funding level that is 400k of assets used elsewhere to help stop the need for injury signings etc.

As I said, I don't think missing the 7s for a year is a great concern

it been "paused" because and only because there are no tournaments. I doubt its even £400K net cost to us. Even if we include the coaches etc.
One year might be ok. But try finding an extra £400k which has been deployed elsewhere 18 months from now. I can se a "review" coming on

[septic 9]

If they cut the number of teams then we need to be good enough to qualify.

the pressure to cut a team has been on GB to enter one team. We have now gone further than the Olympic "exception" and precedent, a bit of an own goal. The question will be asked - a Team GB this season, why not every season? we don't have the votes to stop it

[General Zod]

If they cut the number of teams then we need to be good enough to qualify.

the pressure to cut a team has been on GB to enter one team. We have now gone further than the Olympic "exception" and precedent, a bit of an own goal. The question will be asked - a Team GB this season, why not every season? we don't have the votes to stop it

Or do we?*


* = sorry! My earlier post on this was a dig at royalty, no more. However, I couldn’t help myself there!

[septic 9]

If they cut the number of teams then we need to be good enough to qualify.

the pressure to cut a team has been on GB to enter one team. We have now gone further than the Olympic "exception" and precedent, a bit of an own goal. The question will be asked - a Team GB this season, why not every season? we don't have the votes to stop it

Or do we?*


* = sorry! My earlier post on this was a dig at royalty, no more. However, I couldn’t help myself there!

TBH corporal, I haven't clue what you're saying in this post, but I had a lot of sympathy with your last one

[General Zod]

the pressure to cut a team has been on GB to enter one team. We have now gone further than the Olympic "exception" and precedent, a bit of an own goal. The question will be asked - a Team GB this season, why not every season? we don't have the votes to stop it

Or do we?*


* = sorry! My earlier post on this was a dig at royalty, no more. However, I couldn’t help myself there!

TBH corporal, I haven't clue what you're saying in this post, but I had a lot of sympathy with your last one

I finished for the holidays at about 2 yesterday, so am surprised that I was lucid enough to type by that point. I’ll just leave it.

Currently on the sofa with some Irn bru and watching a barn-raising in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Howard Keel - what a voice!

[Cameo]

I see there is a Team GB for the Dubai Sevens. Is this just short term or has it just slipped under my radar?

[Big D]

I see there is a Team GB for the Dubai Sevens. Is this just short term or has it just slipped under my radar?

It is a thing now... for now at least. I suspect it is a happy coincidence of funding being needed elsewhere in the home unions and Olympic funding being available.

[General Zod]

I see there is a Team GB for the Dubai Sevens. Is this just short term or has it just slipped under my radar?

It is a thing now... for now at least. I suspect it is a happy coincidence of funding being needed elsewhere in the home unions and Olympic funding being available.

Yeah - supposedly temporary for a curtailed season this year. Certainly hope it is. If they get back up and running, I’m going to try for the Cape Town sevens the following year. Meant to be absolutely mint.

[Cameo]

Robbie Fergusson seems to be captain. Hope it's just short term but at least a few Scots are involved.

[Cameo]

The core squad has been announced for once the Scotland team gets going again. Lee Jones is in, which is nice.

https://www.theoffsideline.com/scotland ... lee-jones/

[septic 9]

The core squad has been announced for once the Scotland team gets going again. Lee Jones is in, which is nice.

https://www.theoffsideline.com/scotland ... lee-jones/

delighted for Jones. Good to see a couple who impressed in S6 getting the call, but surprised no Robbie Ferguson.

But mainly delighted my fears over a future Scotland 7s have been unfounded - or at least been wrong!

[Croft_No.5]

Robbie Fergusson now at Warriors on FT contract

[septic 9]

Robbie Fergusson now at Warriors on FT contract

from Jan I think, was announced as after his commitments to Team GBs were over. I had forgotten TBF!

[General Zod]

aaaand we’re back!

Live here :- https://www.world.rugby/sevens-series/stage/2064/match

Lost our first game v SA, currently 5-0 up v England in the first half.

[General Zod]

Half time 10-5, but we’re down to 6 for a short while at the start of the second half due to some re-start inefficiency from our own kick.

Should be further ahead, but decent enough so far. Will have to step it up second half as England won’t be that poor again.

[General Zod]

12-12.