A Forwards Answer to 7s Rugby
Well this being the first entry into the world of Shocker Rugby, I felt that I would touch on something relevant to the summer were are in the midst of and one that I hope most of you are enjoying right now. The months that those Ruggers who stand behind the Scrum Half love, and the months that the scrum sled is allowed to collect a little dust. Of course I am referring to summer 7s.
Each of us has had that discussion with our wives or parents, which has gone something like this:
“Well at least summer is here so now you can get some rest, and we can spend some time together.”
“What do you mean you still have practice all summer?”
“What do you mean these tournaments are further away than your 15's games and they take all day?”
Being a front row Forward myself I have not made too many successful ventures into the world of Rugby 7's. I have always viewed the game as some sort of revenge that Backs exact on Forwards because they have to spend two Rugby seasons standing behind us, watching us Forwards have all of the fun. This is not to say that the Back line doesn’t get its share of rough and tumble moments during a game. In the decade that I have enjoyed this game though I have never heard a back say “I think I got a concussion in that last dummy switch. No matter I’ll just drink it off at the bar.”
So they took the summer months and they created a game, where they can shine. A game in which they don’t have to wait for us to be through with the business of scrums, steadily rolling mauls, and long line outs.
They created 7's.
It wasn’t enough to have this game all to them selves; no that was just not enough. Steps have been taken to ensure that us Forwards will never totally understand this game. First, 7's is played 14 minuets a side, divided into two seven minute halves. Seven minutes is roughly the amount of time that it would take your average Forward to pound three beers. Seeing as how we usually need to be drinking in order to listen the rambling of the back that is trying to teach us the game, the final whistle has blown before we have even sobered up enough to take the field.
These tricky Backs have also managed to play this game of 7's in conditions unfit for Forwards to play in. 7's is played on a regulation Rugby pitch which the average back can sprint up and down like a deer all afternoon barley breaking a sweat. A Forward on the other hand, tipping the scales at 250 pounds can only make that corner to corner run once or twice before he will inevitably call for a sub. I was recently at a 7's tournament where a good friend of mine who would normally play in the second row broke two tackles and made a beautiful 60 meter run to score a try. However, once he reached the try zone he collapsed and was useless for the rest of the game and part of the next. Now this begs the question as to whose idea it was to play the game of 7's on a regulation sized pitch. I would say the answer lies with the quick and the skinny.
Now I am sure that several of you reading this are Forwards like myself, asking yourself two questions. “How did we let this happen?” and “What can we do about this?” Well I am here to tell you not to fret another minute. The answer is already here; it has been here all along.
The Forwards answer to 7's Rugby is what is known as Rugby League. This beautiful form of Rugby is an amazing display of strength and brute force, perfect for the Forward intellect. Those of you not familiar with the game must do your best to see at least part of one as soon as possible. I won’t take the time here to explain the finer points of this game but one look at the following video should make it apparent that this is a game truly made to be a Forwards answer to 7's Rugby
Rugby League Big Hits
Vinnie Anderson big hit
