Rugby 7s, pre-season comp and future NRL revenue

[oldmancraigy]

So with all the threads about how to 'generate more revenue' I thought I'd put an idea out there too.

Why not have a 7s comp before pre-season trials begin? And why not make the rules RUGBY 7s rules?
I can hear you thinking "What's this stupid idea?" If you're unaware, rugby 7s is an Olympic sport, and being an Olympic sport, it generates a 'profile' of its own. For the NRL to jump in and invite all clubs to participate in a rugby 7s comp would do a number things:
Firstly it would put NRL players in line to be selected for the Olympics (and wouldn't Brendan Cannon love that).
Secondly it would generate interest from other sectors who wouldn't normally watch the game, and would give the NRL a 'product' that they could sell to a TV network.
And thirdly, if it all worked out, the NRL could invite the union clubs to send their teams to compete in the same competition --> giving the NRL the upper hand in the revenue department.

Would it work? I dunno, but heck, I'd tune in to see the league guys trying to play union 7s - and particularly if they took on some union sides! It could simply take a weekend (or be week long if it got big enough); all the NSW and QLD cup sides could put in a team too. Surely someone would pay something for the right to show it?

Following that, I'm all for the idea of a pre-season comp that actually means something. Get the clubs to sign up for a knock-out pre-season comp that gets televised by someone, and sponsored by someone else. There's a little bit more revenue - and if the pre-season comp was to follow a 7s comp, then there's at least some interest in it already.
Arrangements ought to be made for the teams who get knocked out to play against each other in trial games in different parts of the country to promote the game (and give them a trial).

It'd generate millions of dollars in revenue without terribly much change.

 

[Thomas]

Firstly it would put NRL players in line to be selected for the Olympics (and wouldn't Brendan Cannon love that).

How do you figure that? You think just because a team is playing RU 7's that they are now eligible for the Olympics?

I think you'll find in order to be eligible for the Olympics, players will need to be aligned (ie: signed members) of a RU board such as the NSWRU/ARU/ACTRU/ARU

 

[The Tank]

It may be called "Rugby 7's" but it's actually "Rugby Union 7's", not for both codes. So how would it benefit RL?

 

[oldmancraigy]

It may be called "Rugby 7's" but it's actually "Rugby Union 7's", not for both codes. So how would it benefit RL?

Probably in the ways I already outlined?

 

[The Tank]

You never outlined ANY benefits for RL. Just wishful thoughts.

 

[ibeme]

How do you figure that? You think just because a team is playing RU 7's that they are now eligible for the Olympics?

I think you'll find in order to be eligible for the Olympics, players will need to be aligned (ie: signed members) of a RU board such as the NSWRU/ARU/ACTRU/ARU

Hypothetically speaking, if a league side won the 7's comp (as we've seen in at the school boy level in Brisbane), but none of their players were eligible to represent Australia at the Olympics, it would be pretty humiliating for RU and the players that got selected.

 

[oldmancraigy]

How do you figure that? You think just because a team is playing RU 7's that they are now eligible for the Olympics?

I think you'll find in order to be eligible for the Olympics, players will need to be aligned (ie: signed members) of a RU board such as the NSWRU/ARU/ACTRU/ARU

All depends on who does the selecting I suppose? At the very worst, if league players are playing the sport of rugby 7s (and for the record the official name of the sport is RUGBY 7s, and NOT rugby UNION 7s) - if league players are playing it, and not even considered for Olympic selection, then surely that gives the NRL some leverage to cause a stir.

The AOC determines who chooses the team(s) - so a quick appeal to them might change things somewhat.

IMO if league acts quickly, they could take over the sport in Australia, it has such a low profile anyway, is ridiculously easy to play, and tends to generate some interest when it is on.
Don't forget the Keebra Park (league high school team) who went and won the national 7s title earlier this season.

I'd rate us a better chance of winning a gold medal with a lineup of Hayne, Slater, Inglis, Morris, Jennings etc than the fellows the union boys could muster up.

 

[oldmancraigy]

You never outlined ANY benefits for RL. Just wishful thoughts.

Hard for there to be any concrete benefits if it doesn't yet exist Einstein...

As far as the 'wishful thoughts', imo they would be benefits if it came to be.

Explain why you think they wouldn't be? You obviously think it would generate no income. It would not raise the profile of league in any way at all.
That, to me, seems like 'wishful thoughts'.

 

[Thomas]

All depends on who does the selecting I suppose? At the very worst, if league players are playing the sport of rugby 7s (and for the record the official name of the sport is RUGBY 7s, and NOT rugby UNION 7s) - if league players are playing it, and not even considered for Olympic selection, then surely that gives the NRL some leverage to cause a stir.

So if a bunch of people start playing soccer but don't affiliate themselves with the governing body, do you think some players would be eligible to play soccer in the Olympics? Also it doesn't matter what the game is called. It is governed by the trademark registered IRB (International Rugby Board).

If you want to represent Australia as a swimmer you need to be affiliated with Swimming Australia. Same with athletics. Same with all the other Olympic sports.

The AOC determines who chooses the team(s) - so a quick appeal to them might change things somewhat.

No they don't. The governing body gives the team to the AOC. The AOC don't pick the athletics and swimming squads.

Don't forget the Keebra Park (league high school team) who went and won the national 7s title earlier this season.

Actually, about half of that Keebra Park squad are currently affiliated with a RU body. 4 of them play regular RU for the local club. But the reason the ARU invited them to play is easy to see...to spot talent.

If a NRL player wants to play 7's at the Olympics then he is welcome to do so. Of course, he'd have to sign with the ARU. Just like anyone who swims can represent Australia...provided they sign with Swimming Australia and meet the criteria.

I'd rate us a better chance of winning a gold medal with a lineup of Hayne, Slater, Inglis, Morris, Jennings etc than the fellows the union boys could muster up.

Australia just won the London leg of the IRB Sevens. They seem to be doing quite well for a bunch of no names.

 

[oldmancraigy]

So if a bunch of people start playing soccer but don't affiliate themselves with the governing body, do you think some players would be eligible to play soccer in the Olympics?

What if the most televised soccer tournament in the country was filled by a bunch of players who happened to be the best players in the sport, and were not current A league players.

What then would happen if said tournament invited A-league clubs to participate, and those A-league clubs were not able to compete with the previous 'bunch of players'?

One might think that any sane governing body would say "hey, why don't we recognise that as an official tournament" OR - more to the point, "why don't we pick those guys to play in the Olympic games?"


It's hard to make your analogy work since you describe an established sport. Rugby 7s is in no way established within Australia - it receives little to no television, and has its own set of rules.

You tell me, if the NRL was to get such a tournament on television, would it not be "the biggest 7s tournament in Australia?"
And if they were to invite the Super 15s teams to participate, well, you might think the ARU would take a shine to their franchises having a shot at winning some prize money/ getting some exposure along the way.

Might do wonders for the game of league in other countries too?

 

[Thomas]

It doesn't matter who plays the game. Players who want to represent their country at the Olympics at Rugby 7's HAVE to be affiliated with a Rugby Union since Rugby 7's is governed by a union and played under union rules with union refs and officials.

The IRB is the one who pushed to have 7's included in the Olympics.

Even if the NRL decided to start playing Rugby Union 7's it doesn't matter how good the players are...they can't represent Australia at the Olympics because they aren't signed to rugby union. Even if there is a massive 7's competition with NRL and S15 players...the ones selected to play for Australia will need to be signed to RU.

It doesn't matter. The chances of the NRL starting up a rugby union competition are next to nothing. As much as you might like to think it, Rugby 7's is still rugby union. The only difference between the two games are the player numbers.

 

[TheDalek079]

OP:why don't you find the person who started the 'lets ban all the teams who get beaten by 50+ from being in the finals' thread and have a competition to see who is dumber?

 

[Knownothing]

As much as you might like to think it, Rugby 7's is still rugby union. The only difference between the two games are the player numbers.

Plus, the team that scores restarts play - the Super League rule ( a good one in Sevens).

 

[Thomas]

Plus, the team that scores restarts play - the Super League rule ( a good one in Sevens).

It is a good rule in sevens...given how easily tries can be scored.

 

[fourplay]

Bring back the old World 7's....

If RL had continued with the Seven's from 1994 that was selling out the SFS, who knows how big it would be today?

 

[Parra]

Chance to be an Olympian. Chance to win a gold medal. Any footy player would jump at the chance. NRL teams playing rugby 7's is a good idea and if they succeed - and they would - some level of affiliation could be sorted out. It is just paperwork.

Australia is one of three countries when this idea could work - so we would be in a relatively unique position to strengthen our Olympic prospects.

Sporting politics and petty jealous would probably prohibit this idea. Just read this thread for examples. But it is still a good idea.

The chip-on-shoulder competition - that is something we could obviously dominate.

 

[oldmancraigy]

OP:why don't you find the person who started the 'lets ban all the teams who get beaten by 50+ from being in the finals' thread and have a competition to see who is dumber?

You looking for someone to take the title away from you?

Ok - granted the being beaten by 50+ idea is stupid, but then again so is the post you just made - shows a failure to even entertain the thought of something different.

What's so dumb about an idea that's a bit different? And how the heck would it be majorly damaging?

There's no real risk, you just get a sponsor and go for it. It was extremely popular in years gone by when it was the 'world 7s' (and meant Parramatta managed to win something) - and the simple idea of 'taking over' the union version (ie, getting in and starting the most popular 7s comp in Australia before they do) and then allowing them to participate means who would get the sponsorship dollar?

Go attempt to ridicule someone else - but do it right next time?

 

[Teddyboy]

I think it be a good idea as it would the ARU the exposure it needs in Australia with it's present dwindling support.It's one merger i can see Rugby League and Rugby Union doing business over plus it would give the NRL and Rugby League bigger exposure in Rugby Union and non-playing Rugby countries.

 

[Teddyboy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44ZXP7F6dzk

 

[m0nty]

Why do so many of these idea threads involve extending the season by a month or more? There should be a ban on such threads because they're no chance of ever happening in reality.

RL needs to stick to its knitting at the moment. That means club footy and Origin. Everything else should take a back seat until those two are improved.