Rugby sevens, the abbreviated form of rugby union, is seeking to ride the wave of popularity in the sport generated by the highly successful World Cup in France.
The three-day season-opening Dubai leg of the World Series sevens circuit run by world rugby's governing body, the International Rugby Board (IRB), attracted 32,000 spectators a day, but importantly offered a showcase for many future international stars.
The recently-concluded World Cup featured 175 players who gained experience on the sevens circuit and no less than 10 of the 20 teams were captained by players who graduated from the shortened form of the game.
Agustin Pichot (Argentina), Morgan Williams (Canada), Vasco Uva (Portugal), Semo Sititi (Samoa), Gareth Thomas (Wales) and Mike Hercus (US) were all the full-time captains of their teams.
And at one stage or another over the course of the tournament, four others -- Jean-Baptiste Elissalde (France), Irakli Abuseridze (Georgia), Felipe Contepomi (Argentina) and Corne Powell (Namibia) -- also took over captaincy duties.
Given that front-five forwards are not suited to the pace and skill-set levels of sevens, the figure of RWC players with sevens experience equates to almost 50 percent of the players in the competition.
Outstanding former sevens players who starred in France also include Argentina's play-making duo Felipe Contepomi and Juan Martin Hernandez, whose sublime passing and kicking skills were honed on the IRB Sevens circuit.
Veteran New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens, whose side won last weekend's Dubai tournament -- beating Fiji 31-21 in the final -- has unearthed a string of players who have starred in the 15-a-side game, notably Christian Cullen, Jonah Lomu and Joe Rokocoko.
Along with Rokocoko, former sevens stars Nick Evans, Chris Masoe, Rodney So'oialo and Isaia Toeava all appeared for the All Blacks at the World Cup.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping