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EXCLUSIVE: Perry Baker dismisses 'word of mouth' rumours of code switch

By Chris Jones
Perry Baker

Perry Baker, the World’s best sevens player, has dismissed claims he is to sign for Biarritz in France and insists his only target is to help the USA win sevens gold at the Olympic Games in Japan in 2020.

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Only then will Baker, who has been named the HSBC World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year for the last two years, consider offers to break into the 15 man game. Baker is preparing for the Hamilton leg of the World Sevens Series this weekend and told RugbyPass he had received offers to switch to the longer version of the sport but the chance to become a medal winner at the Tokyo Games is keeping him in sevens. Biarritz are planning to revamp their squad to try and regain Top 14 status.

Baker, a former American Football player, has helped the USA into top spot in the Sevens Series and said: “I would not play in France and miss out on the Olympic Games because my dream is to have a medal around my neck. We didn’t get a medal in 2016 and I want to be part of our bid for a medal in Japan. It is my whole reason for going into the 2020 season.

“Right now my focus is on helping the USA finish in the top four of the HSBC World Sevens Series and automatically qualify for the Olympic Games in Japan.

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“Fiji won gold in 2016 and that would be something amazing to hang your hat on and be able to say you are medallist at the Games and the percentage of people around the World who can say that is very small. It is an opportunity you don’t want to miss out on.

“There is a lot of word of mouth about deals in 15s and there are pros and cons about moving. I am open to the idea of playing 15s but feel it would be in the States first, in Major League Rugby which is just about to start its second year as a competition.

“There are new teams coming into MLR and that makes it more attractive for the fans and television audience because unlike the sevens it’s not happening in the early hours around the World. That means more fans and sponsorship getting behind the MLR and you cannot help but be excited with more big cities getting involved.

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“There is talk about the fact I haven’t played 15s but teams are willing to give me a chance and when I came over from American Football I was told wouldn’t make the team. Some teams have reached out to me about playing 15s but it is all about timing.”

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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