Sevens to unearth superstars

[mudskipper]

Sevens to unearth superstars

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news...s/1420207.aspx


Australian Sevens coach Michael O'Connor has no doubt he is on the verge of unearthing the next generation of Wallaby superstars.
The national Sevens program and the Australian Institute of Sport joined forces this year to provide an elite pathway for rising players.

O'Connor represented Australia in rugby union and rugby league but the dual international doesn't expect to stumble across the next Matt Giteau just yet. However, he said the modified game was an easy way to identify Super 14 and national stars.

Giteau started his international career in Sevens and O'Connor said there was no danger of players being restricted to one form of the game.

''To me, Sevens is one of the best forums for talent ID around,'' O'Connor said. ''If you've got any deficiencies in your game they'll get exposed in a game of Sevens.

''From my experience if you can play Sevens you can play 15-a-side.

''All the non-negotiable things you need in the 15-man game are on display in the Sevens like tackling, the breakdown, the game sense and speed.''

A 15-strong squad started a three-day training camp at the institute yesterday to prepare for the Wellington Sevens beginning next Friday.

Each Australian Super 14 club nominates two developing players to join the program.

The Brumbies have three Peter Betham, Afusipa Taumoepeau and Henry Vanderglas in the squad.

Betham and Taumoepeau are in the starting XV for the Brumbies trial against the Hurricanes tonight while Vanderglas was named on an extended bench.


Sipa Taumoepeau IRB 7s England

Brumbies coach Andy Friend hoped the Sevens experience would fast-track the trio's development.

''It's a great concept and allows those guys to get away and learn some game pressure,'' Friend said.

''You play in front of big crowds and you're playing for your country and I think it's a tremendous opportunity.

''If they get selected [in the Australian team] we'll welcome them back with an added skill-set.''

The institute started its rugby union program in 1988 with Giteau, John Eales and George Gregan among its graduates.

Australia is a lowly ninth on the International Rugby Board Sevens rankings but O'Connor had his sights set on winning the world cup in Dubai in March.

''At our first tournament in November last year I think we had one guy with Sevens experience,'' O'Connor said.

''We're always looking for improvement and we want to get back into the top four [in the world] as soon as possible.''

[TOCC]

well, now without Australia A, the 7's side is really the only semi-professional pathway for the players

listening to some of the comments of the NZ 7's coach(cant spell his name), he isnt such a fan of blooding young players through 7's though.

[jargan83]

why is that Australia never seems to take Sevens Rugby seriously. Is it a depth issue here in Australia? There isn't even a sponsor on the Jersey surely that could be sold off?

[AndyS]

Can't wait to see the next generation of props it identifies...

[Burgs]

Not sure if Andrew Walker is part of this new generation...

[thunderchicken9]

Interesting that Australia (officially) see 7s in a similar light as USA Rugby, but Australia have the benefit of a deep pool of talent.. It almost seems that 7s is an afterthought due to your abundance of world-class players,while we see 7s as the essential building block toward a world-class 15s side. We seem to be approaching a problem from opposite ends. Our 7s are currently years ahead of our 15s in terms of experience and talent... one has to wonder if it will ever translate into 15s success; after all a good 7s side doesn't guarantee 15s success, although it couldn't hurt.. Argh, my brain is knots now.. oh damn you logic..

[AndyS]

7's will help with the backs (obviously), but that is about all. It is never going to help that much with the 15's, because it will always come back to the forwards. It wouldn't solve the problem either, but maybe the Eagles should look at getting involved in the various 10's comps. It would beat not having the forwards do anything.

[James]

well, now without Australia A, the 7's side is really the only semi-professional pathway for the players

listening to some of the comments of the NZ 7's coach(cant spell his name), he isnt such a fan of blooding young players through 7's though.

Gordon Tiejtens.

That guy is amazing. He puts the veritable scraps of NZ rugby together to one of the best 7s squads in the world. Yeah its about the players to an extent but he proves that its as much about the coaching and the structures you put in place. NZ have developed some incredible S14 talent through the 7s program. Adam Thomson and Liam Messam are two examples that spring to mind. Both forwards I might add.

[Burgs]

I just hope we don't see an increase in the ridiculous "air walk" psuedo goosestep coming into the 15's from the 7's and touch.

It can help develop mobile Backrowers a little though Andy.
Not sure if enough to justify it for Forward development path though.

[AndyS]

I probably should have been clearer and said tight five.

[beige]

7's will help with the backs (obviously), but that is about all. It is never going to help that much with the 15's, because it will always come back to the forwards. It wouldn't solve the problem either, but maybe the Eagles should look at getting involved in the various 10's comps. It would beat not having the forwards do anything.

Maybe but, as a promotional tool, sevens is second to none.

Not dissing 10's mind you - it's a great development tool.