Information AboutRugby Sevens |
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Rugby sevens is a variant of Rugby Union in which only seven players per side feature, instead of the full 15. The version of rugby union is very popular, with notable competitions including the IRB Sevens World Series and the Rugby World Cup Sevens . Rugby sevens is also played at events such as the Commonwealth Games . Although it was conceived as an event for rugby union, Rugby League has also adopted the sevens format. OVERVIEW Rugby sevens is sanctioned by the International Rugby Board (IRB), and is played under substantially the same rules and on a field of the same dimensions as the 15-player Game . While a normal rugby union match lasts upwards of 80 minutes, a normal rugby sevens match lasts approximately 15 minutes (allowing for the one-minute halftime break, injury time and so forth). Competition finals last somewhat more than 20 minutes; each half in a competition final is ten minutes instead of the normal seven minutes. (In the IRB Sevens World Series, only the Cup final, which determines the overall winner of an event, is played with 10-minute halves; all finals for lower-level trophies are played with normal 7-minute halves.1) This allows rugby tournaments to be completed in a day or a weekend. However, sevens scores are generally comparable to union scores; scoring occurs with much greater regularity in sevens, since the defenders are more spaced out than in rugby union. Scrums still exist within sevens, composed of just three players from each team. Given the speedy nature of the game, players are usually either from the backline or the trio of loose forwards in fifteens rugby. Rugby sevens was initially conceived by as part of the "Scottish Rugby Union's celebration of rugby" centenary celebrations in 1973. Due to the success of the format, the ongoing Hong Kong Sevens was launched three years later. In 1993, the Rugby World Cup Sevens , in which the ''Melrose Cup'' is contested, was launched. Two of the best known sevens competitions are the Hong Kong Sevens and Dubai Sevens , which now make up parts of the IRB Sevens World Series . VARIATIONS TO THE LAWS OF THE GAME The emphasis of play in Sevens is speed, skill, and fitness. A team is usually compromised entirely of backs, because of their fitness and agility compared to their forward counterparts. Furthermore, players may need to get more creative in making plays, with only 14-20 minutes to play a single game. There are several variations in laws which apply to Rugby Sevens,2 primarily to speed up the game and to account for the reduced number of players. The main changes can be summarised as follows:
AT THE SUMMER OLYMPICS Owing to the speed by which matches are resolved and the minimal personnel requirements, there is hope that sevens will be accepted for . The IRB has recently moved to counter criticisms that it only proposed for a male Olympic tournament, establishing a series of Sevens events for women. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS
FIRA EUROPEAN SEVENS 2005 FIRA European Sevens Portugal defeated Russia 28-26 in a pulsating climax to the Grand Final of the 2005 FIRA European Sevens in Moscow to retain the trophy they have won for the last three years. Spain won the Plate with a 25-14 win over Germany, whilst Lithuania claimed the Bowl. Portugal topped their group on day one, recording four victories and a 7-7 draw, against Italy. In Pool B, Russia delighted the home fans with five wins out of five, including a 33-7 victory over France. They followed that up on day two by defeating Italy 17-0 in the Cup semi finals, whilst Portugal beat France 22-7. NOTABLE SEVENS PLAYERS
SEVENS TOP TRY-SCORERS RUGBY LEAGUE SEVENS Rugby league may also be played under seven-a-side rules, though this is less common as an alternative when compared with Rugby League Nines (played on a nine-a-side basis). The game is substantially the same as full Rugby League , however scrums involve only three players per team, and all kicks at goal must be made by drop-kicks. The major tournament was the World Sevens played prior to the start of the National Rugby League season in Sydney , but the tournament has been cancelled. Rugby league sevens is particularly popular with Pub teams — formed from the regulars at a particular public house, the reason for this is that it is often difficult for a single Pub (particularly in the north of England where rugby league is popular, as are pubs) to form a full squad of 13 players and four substitutes of willing players. WOMEN'S RUGBY SEVENS Women's rugby 7s is dominated by New Zealand, with either the New Zealand team (1999-2001) or Aotearoa Maori Women’s Rugby 7’s team (playing as New Zealand) winning all of the Hong Kong 7s to date (as of [http://www.hkrugby.com/hkrugby/womens-rugby/womens-rugby_home.cfm 2007 ). The inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament will be held in 2009 in Dubai in conjunction with the men’s tournament. Other strong nations in Women's 7s are Australia and the USA. REFERENCES SEE ALSO
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