Rio
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<p>Eh, easy to say but sevens is a bit different to the other codes, just look at how long it's taken SBW to adjust. Plus Johnson's defence would be singled out pretty quickly.</p>
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<p>No use crying about it now though, if he and all the other Leaguies really wanted to play Sevens like they said they would a few years ago, they would've signed with the NZRU and given it a go. Looking back all that talk was pretty hollow, it's as if they thought they could walk into the Olympics from the NRL and then walk out a week later with Olympic medals.</p> -
<p>I don't know if its hollow exactly. Early on there was a misguided opinion that they may not have to abandon their NRL lives in order to go to the Olympics.</p>
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<p>Can't expect these guys to give away massive contracts to be down graded to 7s contracts. SBW and Messam are probably still making major coin but I doubt that extends to too many other guys.</p>
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<p>Back to the misguided opinion. Had these league guys been able to switch I think particularly Johnson would have been awesome just as he is in 9s. He's got no problem with running guys down or lateral defense. Its his front on tackling with big rigs that is mostly the problem.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="575054" data-time="1461666495">
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<p>Eh, easy to say but sevens is a bit different to the other codes, just look at how long it's taken SBW to adjust. Plus Johnson's defence would be singled out pretty quickly.</p>
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<p>No use crying about it now though, if he and all the other Leaguies really wanted to play Sevens like they said they would a few years ago, they would've signed with the NZRU and given it a go. Looking back all that talk was pretty hollow, it's as if they thought they could walk into the Olympics from the NRL and then walk out a week later with Olympic medals.</p>
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<p>TBH, a lot of people thought Julian Savea, Ben Smith and Barrett would all sign up. Olympic 7's just doesn't seem to be a huge deal for most rugby players. Too risky for most league players even if they really wanted it.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="575069" data-time="1461669932">
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<p>TBH, a lot of people thought Julian Savea, Ben Smith and Barrett would all sign up. Olympic 7's just doesn't seem to be a huge deal for most rugby players. Too risky for most league players even if they really wanted it.</p>
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<p>I think they all would have signed up if Titch hadn't have asked for such a dramatic commitment. If he had done it like previous Commonwealth Games squads he would have had is pick of the litter.</p>
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<p>Ben Smith in particular has done his time with Titch I don't see how past 7s guys couldn't be brought back without having to pay their "dues".</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="575095" data-time="1461685193">
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<p>I think they all would have signed up if Titch hadn't have asked for such a dramatic commitment. If he had done it like previous Commonwealth Games squads he would have had is pick of the litter.</p>
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<p>Ben Smith in particular has done his time with Titch I don't see how past 7s guys couldn't be brought back without having to pay their "dues".</p>
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<p>I don't think it has anything to do with paying 'dues' - I think it's about adjusting to 7s rugby which has evolved since those days and is much more competitive and different than it used to be.</p>
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<p>SBW is only now starting to find his feet and has played 4/5 tournaments and has been training exclusively with 7s for about 4 months.</p> -
<p>I expect to an extent Titch would have wanted to remain loyal to many of his regulars, I mean imagine if he had an influx of front line S15 players and AB's and ended up having to leave out the likes of Forbes and Kaka because of it?</p>
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<p>How well would that really sit in the quest of gold?</p> -
I agree sonny bills commitments and training are starting to show. I had forgotten how to be is defensively both with hit and tackle technique, he must have been tought well by the all blacks. How do you think aron Smith would go in sevens?
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="575133" data-time="1461712085"><p>I expect to an extent Titch would have wanted to remain loyal to many of his regulars, I mean imagine if he had an influx of front line S15 players and AB's and ended up having to leave out the likes of Forbes and Kaka because of it?<br><br>
How well would that really sit in the quest of gold?</p></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="575132" data-time="1461711856">
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<p>I think the whole fitness and conditioning is completely different for 7's. Not many Olympic sports you can't play for four years and can turn up and win gold. It would be pretty shitty if you could do it with 7's.</p>
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<p>It's not like taking on a totally different sports. If Roger Federer played mixed doubles at the Olympics in his prime and had a respectable partner he would win gold at a pursuit he didn't spend much time playing it on tour. Similarly if Phelps was too busy to race in relays until the Olympics and then chose to get involved he can still swim 100m bloody quick - it still helps the team even if he hasn't spent the past year practicing change-overs.</p>
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<p>Rugby XV and XIIs are not that dissimilar. Its not as if one is taking up shot put the Sunday before the games kick off.</p> -
<p>not sure I think your analogies work at all...there are much smarter people than you or I who think there is a vast difference between 7s and 15s </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="575206" data-time="1461739889">
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<p>not sure I think your analogies work at all...there are much smarter people than you or I who think there is a vast difference between 7s and 15s </p>
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<p>I guess we will see - previously players were able to enter the 7s set up for Commonwealth Games tournaments after partial or full Super Rugby seasons - we have had significant success with those guys often being the best players (Delhi being the best example of that). This time Ttch is demanding a full slate by all players. The proof will be in the pudding - if we win gold I will happily eat my words.</p>
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<p>The point of the post was to disagree with the idea that this is the equivalent of someone taking up a sport 6 months before the games like hydro suggested. The are various players who translate very easy into the 7 man game.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="575205" data-time="1461739755">
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<p>It's not like taking on a totally different sports. If Roger Federer played mixed doubles at the Olympics in his prime and had a respectable partner he would win gold at a pursuit he didn't spend much time playing it on tour. Similarly if Phelps was too busy to race in relays until the Olympics and then chose to get involved he can still swim 100m bloody quick - it still helps the team even if he hasn't spent the past year practicing change-overs.</p>
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<p>Rugby XV and XIIs are not that dissimilar. Its not as if one is taking up shot put the Sunday before the games kick off.</p>
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<p>That doubles analogy isn't bad. There's a fair bit that's different to singles. Incidentally, Fed has a gold medal in men's doubles, but only a silver in singles. I also see he's teaming with Martina Hingis in Rio - I reckon they'll be a decent bet to win.</p> -
<p>Pro boxers will now be allowed into the Olympics.</p>
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<p>Qualifying tournament for Rio to be held in early July.</p>
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<p>Bizarre.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing/36425046'>http://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing/36425046</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="584586" data-time="1464792316">
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<p>Pro boxers will now be allowed into the Olympics.</p>
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<p>IOC descend into farce, so much for 'amateur'.</p>
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<p>Not impressed. Anything for $$$. Take out golf, take out soccer, take out rugby too for that matter.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="584642" data-time="1464820418">
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<p>IOC descend into farce, so much for 'amateur'.</p>
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<p>Not impressed. Anything for $$$. <strong>Take out golf, take out soccer, take out rugby too for that matter.</strong></p>
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<p>well you could leave them in, but have them as amateur only...for rugby, rule out Super rugby players</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="584655" data-time="1464821708">
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<p>well you could leave them in, but have them as amateur only...for rugby, rule out Super rugby players</p>
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<p>Nah, I'm a traditionalist that only puts in team sports where everyone does the same thing (rowing, cylcing, swimming, running, etc). I'm old fashioned, but what the hell. These young bloods can get off my lawn</p> -
<p>well apparently they are looking at surfing, skateboarding, baseball, softball for Tokyo....</p>
