Neil Best previews this weekend's Singapore 7s
It is best to rise from life as from a banquet, neither thirsty nor drunken
The switch from the boozy Hong Kong leg of the World 7s to the kids-centric and family-friendly Singapore 7s couldn’t provide greater contrast. And Singapore 7s has an added dimension this year – that of potential Olympic qualification.
The first guaranteed top-four finish of the 2018/19 World Sevens Series is likely to be secured in Singapore – and with it comes with it the prize of guaranteed Olympic qualification for Tokyo 2020.
Remarkably, Tier 2 rugby nation the United States continues to surprise and sit proudly at the top of the World Series standings. But the bigger names or World Rugby are queuing up behind.
Last year’s Singapore victors Fiji are probably once again favourites, and again off the back of a win in Hong Kong. Australia, the surprise package and finalists in Singapore last year are struggling this time round. But they weren’t heavily fancied last time and that lack of pressure may give them freedom to play.
Along with the growing profiles and list of stars associated with current 7s rugby, some real legends of the game will have boots on the ground in the Lion City.
This year will see DJ Forbes, Waisale Servi, Huriana Manuel and George Gregan all in Singapore as World 7s Ambassadors.
And during 7s week, rugby clinics spring up across the island, which is great news for many kids and young players. Unfortunately, these clinics are often held in partnership with the usual suspects and a tick box exercise rather than creative effort to share experience across all corners of junior rugby in Singapore.
Music goes hand in hand with 7s rugby. Last year Singapore reached the dizzy heights of the Village People – one of my personal favourites. Yet, despite them being free this weekend, I’ve checked, they haven’t made it back on the 2019 play list.
But of all the peculiarities of the 7s circus there is one event that has stuck out as an absolute must attend for me.
Ireland Men’s 7s might have to wait another year before we see them in action in Singapore, but a former teammate of mine – and Ireland’s greatest ever player – Brian O’Driscoll is participating in a Rugby/Badminton cross over event on Saturday morning. And to be clear it’s the racquet sport not the horse trials.
In a week that has seen Christian Wade successfully make the switch from rugby to the Buffalo Bills and American Football, I’m genuinely curious as to whether we are going to see badminton players dip their toes in rugby, or Bod maybe transition to badminton.
Badminton is huge in Asia, whilst Irish badminton has underachieved over many years. Just as he was the catalyst for Irish rugby success, I think Brian might well be the man to give Irish racquet sports the lift they need. I’m looking forward to seeing if he knows his frying pan grip from his Danish wipe -because I don’t for sure.
Beer is the Danish national drink, and the Danish national weakness is another beer.
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments