In the second part of our series about the sevens at the 2024 Olympics, we’ve discussed the upcoming events with four current and former players and coaches involved in the men’s game. Take a look below to find out what our experts had to say and remember you can check out our feature about the women’s event here.
Gareth Baber
First, we’ve spoken with a true great of the game - particularly regarding the men’s rugby sevens at the Olympics - and someone who famously coached the Fiji men’s side to their second gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, none other than Gareth Baber.
RP: What do you think this year’s Olympics will do for the sevens?
GB: “Whenever you see a sport at the Olympics, there’s obviously plenty of exposure, but the hope is that sevens rugby sees the same success as it has at the previous two games.
“I’d probably say we’ll be comparing this year a bit more to Rio in 2016; this really elevated the game - and the quality of it has only gotten better from then. The hope is that the sevens does get another boost in both the men’s and women’s and then we build from there.”
RP: How much would you say the sport has developed since the last Olympics?
GB: “Sevens has benefitted massively from its connection with the Olympics and I don’t think anyone could argue that the quality hasn’t been there at any of the events. But, I think the big difference this time is that we’re not in a Covid situation. So the players, coaches and everyone involved will have had access to more time with each other, better facilities, a full playing calendar, and ultimately, more chances to develop and improve their [playing] programmes.
“The overall sporting landscape has changed as well though; you take the recent Madrid competition, both the men’s and women’s was keenly fought with good competition levels. This has been a good omen, and it’s no longer just the same small number of teams that are in with a shout, there’s now the likes of Argentina and Ireland who are jumping up in the sevens environment, particularly within the men’s game.”
RP: What’s the environment like in the men’s sevens, especially at such a high level?
GB: “There’s something really unique about the sevens environment, and although it can be tough and you have to be really committed, you do get like minded people and a real sense of inclusivity - something that can be lacking in other professional sports.
“For me, this has existed for a long time in the sevens, as you get to spend so much time with your team and staff and you get opportunities to discuss and learn - which you can argue that you don't get as much in the XVs. There’s a real closeness and together you recognise the challenges and can work together to help overcome them.”
RP: How else do you think the Olympics could make sevens more appealing to new audiences?
GB: “From a player perspective, there aren’t many sports where you can get opportunities to travel the world, play in lots of competitions and get a chance at the Olympics - which is what the sevens offers.
“With the women’s game, I’d like to think the Olympics will shine a light on the sport for young girls, particularly in the nations that see medal success. I mean, if you look at Fiji - where the women got a bronze medal last time out - and how that’s done so much for the popularity of the sport, not just in the sevens but also in the XVs. It’s almost like there has been a sort of multiplier effect year on year for both the awareness and interest in the women’s team and subsequently the investment and opportunities available.
“The overall awareness [of the sevens] is definitely growing too. I work in a university and we’re getting more and more applicants wanting to align their courses with their rugby development. I’d love to see sevens aligning with this too; a quality Olympics for the women will create a lot of added value and could absolutely engage new audiences in the next decade.”
RP: What are your views on players like Antoine Dupont coming into the sevens for the Olympics? Do you think we might see more of this going forward?
GB: “It would be my instinct to say ‘no’, but the Dupont situation is great and has been positive for generating interest in the sevens - particularly in France.
“I’m not saying we won’t see more of this [XVs players switching] as there is a real love of the sevens from lots of players involved in rugby XVs, but, with the lucrative contracts you get in the XVs - and how players can get tied up with playing obligations in these - it’s a real challenge for the sevens to handle.
“Another point is that sevens has a more humble setup, particularly with budgets, and I don’t necessarily think just parachuting in XVs players is going to get the positive results some people think it will. To build a sevens team that’s going to be successful over a period of time and be consistent, the players need to be together consistently. So you won’t get that happy marriage, just from dropping in from the XVs each Olympics.
“It’d be better to get players coming in for longer, whether that’s on things like development programmes or to play in more international tournaments, so they’ll be around for a number of years.
“I also think that although Antoine has done well, I’ve seen better players, playing sevens right now. I reckon that even Antoine would put his hand up and say how tough the game is too and how it’s a challenge to move from the XVs.”
Tom Mitchell
Next, we’ve chatted with Tom Mitchell, a former England and GB Sevens captain - who of course earned a silver medal at the games in Rio in 2016. Here’s what Tom had to say:
RP: In your view, how much has the sevens grown since the 2016 Olympics?
TM: “So straight off the back of those Olympics matches, the awareness [of the sevens] was much larger, and I know for a fact that crowds went up at tournament games after Rio, as we literally had people telling us their interest had come from them watching the games in 2016. It was almost like the Olympics helped pull back the curtain on the sport for people.
“However, I don’t think it’s exploded as much around the world as we had hoped since then, I think it varies from country to country and the infrastructure they have in place, but growth can still definitely come in these places after Paris. Olympic success is also a big part of this though; maybe the Australian women is the best example of this, as after their gold in Rio, it changed the landscape for sevens out there. They were the superstars.”
RP: What effect do you think this year’s events will have on the sport’s popularity?
TM: “Sevens also has strong rugby values - so, things like respect for one another and togetherness - and these align with the values of the Olympics.
“It’s also a very accessible sport, and as a fan, it’s very easy to find enjoyment in it as you don’t necessarily have the more complex elements you get with XVs. It draws people in with the almost ‘rollercoaster’ element to it; by this I mean it pulls you around emotionally - way more than any other sport. It’s often such a tight battle in just 14 minutes and you get lots of ups and downs, but people find that engaging.”
RP: There have been lots of discussions around how engaging younger people find the sevens, do you agree with this and why is this the case?
TM: “100%. Whether we like it or not, attention spans are changing and the way young people consume media and broadcasts are different to older audiences. So a 14-minute game lends itself quite nicely here; you can make the most of a full match without the longer wait of say the XVs.
“But with that, to facilitate playing sevens is also easier. You can pull together a decent sevens side much easier than a XVs and I mean this at all levels. We can easily get primary school-age kids playing the sevens and what better way to drive interest than that?
“That said, there is still a challenge here to properly package this up as a broadcast, but in-stadium experiences and entertainment are strong and well-suited to younger audiences. I remember when I was playing and some people were asking me if they minded that fans were talking, dancing and essentially having a bit of a party in the stands while the game was on and I was like ‘no, absolutely not”. Ultimately, it’s fantastic that they’re there for the experience - and I’m just contributing to that.
“Sevens also engages with more global audiences, as you get teams from all over the world and from countries which don’t get much representation in other sports. This in turn gives you a real mix of beautiful cultures, which I think also really appeals to young people.”
“Olympic inclusion is another big driver for growth in other nations. China for instance in four years time could be really competitive and that’ll be a massive new audience. But you could also apply this incentive to global younger generations. For instance, there will be young and new fans who will see these Olympians and think ‘I want to do that’.”
RP: What are your thoughts on big names coming across from the XVs for the Olympics - like Antoine Dupont - do you think this will boost the sevens’ profile?
TM: “The obvious answer to this is that if you bring big names in, the profile grows as the fans of these players follow them across. The problem is that a lot of these players won’t deliver like Dupont has; he’s an anomaly to me, but that’s why I’ve bought into it! [laughs].
“Having been an Olympics sevens player, you know we had Sonny Bill Williams and Bryan Habana come across for 2016, but all the fanfare was around them and it did take the limelight away from established and really talented sevens players - Habana didn’t even make the squad which was proof of the quality in the sevens game already.
“The difference with Dupont is he has a lot of ingredients for sevens already; he’s been so good across the board. He just doesn’t mess up that guy [laughs] - for fairness, he is complementing a very decent France sevens squad, which also helps a lot.
“The big picture from this discussion point though, is that we continue to need sevens ‘superstars’, especially in the men’s. In the women’s you can argue Charlotte Caslick is the closest thing to this, she’s amazing and has inspired lots of young girls. Also, right now what Ilona Maher is doing for the game is epic. Not only is she a powerhouse on the pitch but she has created a powerhouse profile that gets people into the game, whilst also doing heaps for female empowerment and body positivity. In terms of her social media clout at least, she is bigger than the game.
“Also the men’s needs someone who can raise the game’s profile more organically, just on their name alone.”
RP: Tell us more about what it’s like playing at the sevens at this level, what is appealing about it?
TM: “As you’re a smaller group that travels around together, by virtue of this you form really tight bonds - and this is an incredibly valuable thing that people should recognise.
“Then there’s the effort that’s required to play sevens, especially at an Olympic level, that brings you closer together. I know it’s a cliche but you have to work for your teammates, and if you don’t do that in sevens, it’s very obvious and you quickly become unstuck. So the reliance on one another is accentuated, then as a result, the trust builds and you create relationships that last.
“In addition - and I don’t know if this is unique to sevens - but you’re also encouraged to talk about things and how you feel as a player. The Australia men’s side for instance are working with a specialist on their story and culture and there’s a recognised performance enhancement from doing this and becoming a tighter group that wins more games.
“Going back to growing the game though, once these approaches become more apparent to people, it will show just how aligned with the future sevens really is and just how pioneering it is around things like sports science and psychology.”
Luke Treharne
We also caught up with former men’s GB Sevens player, current Hong Kong 7s skills coach and founder of the popular social media page, This is 7s, Luke Treharne, to get his thoughts and views.
RP: What are your thoughts on how the Olympics has helped grow the sevens?
LT: “Looking back at the previous Olympics in Rio in 2016, this was the first time that sevens really got a chance to be put out in front of a massive, global audience, instead of just the diehard fans - and off the back of this, and from the story Fiji created in winning gold, it really helped capture people’s imaginations.
“Tokyo was sadly tainted by Covid, so it didn’t quite have the same impact, especially as people couldn’t get there and see it firsthand. But, because this year will hopefully be in a packed-out Stade de France, it has the potential to hugely influence the future of sevens. If it is a sellout crowd it’ll be a big indicator that the profile of the game is going up.”
RP: Which new fans do you think the sevens will appeal to the most this summer?
LT: “I think if you were to watch the sevens without any prior rugby knowledge, it’s far easier to pick up - particularly for younger fans. I don’t have any data to back this up as such, but whether it’s the shorter games, fewer players or faster pace, this fits in with the way content - especially on social media - is consumed by younger people.
“Sevens lends itself to social media. The quicker tackles, running and kicking is all really easy to chop up and put online - and I guess at the end of the day that’s where a huge younger audience is watching a lot of sport.”
RP: How do you think the Olympics could be utilised to engage the more traditional rugby fan?
LT: “If the players really put on a show, it’ll demonstrate how exciting sevens can be and could help it break out from the conventions of say the XVs. The organisers could also try going harder on social media throughout the events to try and tap into other audiences there too.”
RP: Do you think having more high profile XVs players - not just Antoine Dupont - moving into the sevens would be beneficial?
LT: “I’ve loved Dupont coming across and he’s had the biggest positive impact on and off the field. We’ve seen lots of players wanting to come across [to sevens] ever since Rio and I don’t think any have had anywhere near as big a positive impact as we have with Antoine.
“He’s shown sevens a lot of respect; he didn’t just assume he would be going to the Olympics, it’s been something in the works for over a year - and he took a lot of time understanding the game before he came in. He also isn’t there to take all the glory and wants to support his team - and you can see how positive that’s been for the French side. For me it’s been the best example of a XVs player making the switch. Even beyond how he’s played, he’s also done his bit for promoting sevens and bringing awareness with his huge following.
“I’ve heard from some of the players I’m coaching that they’ve seen him taking the time to stay after games - like hours after - and make the effort to get pictures with fans and meet people. All that kind of behind the scenes stuff is so important and it’s great to hear; so it’s something for other big names to emulate.”
RP: What are the other big positives about sevens and how could we make these clearer beyond the Olympics?
LT: “I think it’s how communal and fun everything is… so with XVs you play week in week out, but then when training is over you can spend as much or as little time as you want with the team. Whereas with sevens you’re going away with a group and you stay together with these players and form really strong bonds.
“You’re also in the same position as all the other teams and you get these opportunities to make friendships and connect with others. That was one of my favourite parts of playing with GB.
“That said, these stories need to be presented better, ideally through more longform media, not just social clips. Social might get people interested, but to keep it interesting we need to elaborate more on these stories - with things like docuseries - and broaden the reach of the content that’s created around the sevens. This would be awesome to see off the back of the Olympics as well; look at the NFL for instance, there’s absolutely loads of additional content.”
RP: Perhaps showcasing the incredible fitness of the sevens players would be impressive content to show to new and existing fans? As a coach what are your thoughts?
LT: “Yeah definitely, although describing what accounts for ‘fitness’ can be divisive. To me, sevens absolutely ties in a lot of different fitness metrics, you need to be incredibly quick and fit as well as strong with explosive power, plus have fine motor skills, teamwork and ability to play the game under high pressure, intensity and fatigue.
“With the above you also need to factor in having the right mindset; there aren’t many sports where you have to deal with a win or a loss and then quickly go again several times over a weekend. I tend to find this is also one of the hardest things for young players to deal with, and it’s especially tough to keep a level head on the world stage, whether you’re winning or losing.
“So yes, sevens players could definitely throw their hat into the ring here regarding all-round fitness - and showing it off would make for very good content.”
RP: What other advice would you give to young people wanting to get into the sevens, particularly those influenced by the Olympics?
LT: “This is probably the most-asked question I get and I think the key to it is to get involved and play as much as possible - this’ll help you improve significantly. So looking in your local area for invitational tournaments, from these you can get a feel for the teams and opportunities that might be out there.
“You also regularly have people involved with international setups watching these tournaments, so it gives chances for you to be spotted. That said, there are other doors that can open in other avenues, such as university.”
Mike Friday
Lastly we managed to catch the current USA Men’s Sevens coach and former England Sevens captain, Mike Friday, before he heads off to Paris for the events. Here’s what Mike had to say about the sport and his experiences at the Olympics:
RP: How important is this year’s Olympics going to be for the sevens, in your view?
MF: “I really think Paris 2024 will be a defining moment for the sport. With all due respect to Rio, it was the first one for the game, but it was a small venue and was quite low-key and then Tokyo had all the makings post Rugby World Cup of being an unbelievable event, but obviously Covid put an end to that. So now in a rugby-rich nation like France, we’re going to be able to showcase the sevens and demonstrate whether or not it can truly embrace rugby itself on the global stage.
“You also can’t deny how the Olympics provides the best opportunities for any country to dare to dream. This is because the very nature and the way the sevens has been set up allows all nations to move from regional positions through to the world stage.
RP: So you think it’ll be highly engaging?
“To me sevens is also the entry form of rugby, and with more investment and a strong Olympics, it’ll be hugely resurgent - it shouldn’t be about profit, it should be about creating opportunities for new players, countries and audiences. There’s genuine quality here and it needs to be seen and invested in.
“That said, the in-stadium experience at the sevens should cater better for fans and the sports bodies should be looking to take influence from what gets done at the Olympics.
“At the same time, the SVNS should be more considered around which cities they’re targeting going forward; the right cities in emerging markets is everything. Being a bit controversial, I’m not sure LA, for instance, is the best place for the World Series, compared to a city like Nashville - which has more in its city landscape that aligns with the Series experience and can bring in fresh audiences from the USA.”
RP: So you’re saying there are real opportunities in America for sevens growth?
MF: “The reality is that American fans are very passionate about their team and their flag, but ultimately they like to win. So they’re not particularly turned on by sides that aren’t winning and aren’t at the top of their game.
“So the first hurdle was getting the rugby sides in a position to compete with the rest of the world and we’ve done that with the sevens, but not the XVs. However - Olympics aside - we need to do a better job in attracting awareness, investing in coaching development and the upskilling entry-level setup.
“In other words, there's still a huge piece of work to do, but with success at the Olympics it’ll help get more buy in. Americans are very curious about sport and high octane sport in particular - which puts the sevens in a good place.”
RP: How else do you think more fans around the world can be enticed by the sevens?
MF: “I know I’ve mentioned how we should consider the in-stadium audiences, but we also need to think more about how smart the broadcasts of the sevens are and how smart the wider digital marketing is, especially in terms of clearly communicating how exciting the game is and how easy it is to follow and enjoy.”
RP: What about moving more ‘big name’ players across from the XVs, would that help?
MF: “[Laughs] Well, I think Antoine Dupont is the exception, not the norm here, because if you look at the previous players that have come across from XVs, they were all at the ends of their careers, and if you look at the reverse, it’s players who started their careers with the sevens.
“Sevens has always been a player development pathway for the XVs, and being candid, the strapline in Hong Kong used to be ‘come and see the stars of tomorrow, today’ - Jonah Lomu, Matt Giteau, Mathew Tait for instance - that’s how it was back then. But now the move from XVs to the sevens is more significant, and it’s more about whether those XVs players can handle the pace and game style of the sevens.
“But then there’s Dupont - in the prime of his life - but apart from the fact he’s exceptional, he’s one of the fittest XVs in the world, which is why he has done so well - so that should be the stock requirement to start with; only players in their peak can mix it with the sevens.
“So because of this and to answer your question, I don’t see it becoming the norm [laughs].
“You’ve got to think, we’re a commercial sport; money pays the bills and the financial capabilities in the XVs are much greater. Established and mature rugby nations typically have people wanting to play XVs over sevens. So perhaps if we reposition sevens as say a commercial IPL - which is a doable thing - and that captures the imagination like it has in cricket, that can make the sport more attractive and lucrative. Nations where rugby isn’t as developed may view sevens as more of an opportunity, as they can more easily build programmes and pathways.”
RP: Circling back to the Olympics, what about telling the stories about what it’s like to play sevens at this level, would that help boost its profile?
MF: “The XVs and sevens are very different here, and when I say this, I mean XVs can be a drawn out grind, playing week in, week out. But, sevens has very intense performance cycles; you peak for a tournament, then you have to come down from that, then go up again. The training reflects this too and that means you get lots of highs and lows.
“So you need strong support networks to help with the mental battle of managing all this - and you tend to get this more in the sevens, especially at big stage international tournaments.”
RP: What about the fitness side of things? Is that the same level of intensity in the sevens?
MF: Well it depends how you define ‘fitness’, but our game is an extreme endurance sport - so you need the ability to do high-intensity exercises, again and again. You have a little voice in your head saying ‘I’ve had enough’ but you need to dust yourself off and go again.
“I liken sevens players at the Olympics to decathletes, but like wrestling ones [laughs]. That’s what you’re dealing with as a top level sevens player.”
