Glasgow 2014 - Commonwealth Games Sports Guide: Rugby Sevens

By Steven Oldham
 
Click HERE for Commonwealth Games homepage
 
Rugby sevens is a fast developing sport globally and the Commonwealths have stolen a march on the Olympics with this one; it's been featured since 1998, while it will only make it's debut on the biggest stage of them all at the next Games, Rio 2016.
 
With the introduction of women's boxing for this edition, rugby sevens is the last sport at the Commonwealths only played by men.
 
WHEN?
 
The rugby sevens tournament is done and dusted in two days, July 26-27.
 
WHERE?
 
The tournament will be held at the Rangers' Ibrox stadium.
 
WHO?
 
New Zealand are the dominant force in sevens, and have won every Commonwealth gold medal since the sport was introduced in 1998. They will again go into the tournament as favourites to secure another win. They are also reigning World Series and World Cup champions. It would be a huge surprise if they didn't add to their bulging trophy cabinet in Glasgow this summer.
 
So what about the other countries? Traditional rugby powers are likely to contest the remaining medals. South Africa, Australia and England all have claims to do well this summer. South Africa were runners up in the World Series this season, while England were World Cup finalists last year, albeit well beaten. Australia were runners up in Delhi four years ago.
 
Sixteen countries will take part in the tournament in groups of four with the top two from each group advancing to the quarter finals. Scotland, Kenya, Wales and Samoa will be looking to progress.
 
LET ME SOUND LIKE I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT...
 

• Sevens follows the rulebook of rugby union, with changes mainly due to fewer players being on the pitch - so look out for three man scrums and two-minute sin bin punishments.
• As the name suggests, teams play with seven players rather than fifteen.
• The other main difference is that games only last 14 minutes - two halves of seven minutes with a minute's break in between.
• Eliminated countries still get the chance to win some silverware in the classification events - there's a Bowl and Shield to be won.
• Despite being seen as a new idea by many, sevens dates way back to 1883.

 
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Can New Zealand continue their domination of rugby sevens?
(odt.co.nz)