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Sevens star calls for 'All-star tournament'

By Josh Raisey
Perry Baker (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

Two-time World Rugby sevens player of the year Perry Baker has called for an “all-star tournament” on Twitter. The United States star mooted this idea to World Rugby Sevens on social media during the game’s suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but has not gone into great depth. His USA teammate Ben Pinkelman also seems keen on this novel idea as well.

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With rugby around the world currently suspended, as it has been for over a month now, there will be huge financial repercussions from this crisis, which will affect many aspects of the sport. Unions are expected to struggle, and the game of sevens as a whole faces an uncertain future. Such an idea by Baker is a good way to generate interest in the game when it returns, as it would undoubtedly be an enticing prospect.

The notion of all-star games is not something that is particularly rife in rugby, although such exhibition matches have been played in the past. There was once a fixture between the north and south islands in New Zealand, which was contested many times over the course of a century. There has also been a northern hemisphere versus southern hemisphere match, competed in 2005 for Rugby Aid, and was repeated again in 2011. Of course, the Barbarians and the British and Irish Lions are two other traditions in rugby that buy into an all-star format, although slightly different, as well as rugby league’s State of Origin series within the NRL.

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A red card in the final moments of BBC’s crucial traditional match against
Nudgee puts the defence under immense pressure, while the next generation of rugby players gain inspiration from the school’s Year 12’s. With the premiership out of reach, the First XV gather for an emotional final outing on Miskin Oval, while some of the seniors experience life-changing growth with the Ninja Warrior Program. As the sun sets on the 2019 campaign, the focus turns to reflection, growth and admiration of the goals achieved during a watershed season for the rugby program.

Conversely, almost all popular sports in the USA have the concept of an all-star game each season, and Baker is drawing upon his experience at home to influence World Rugby. There are indeed some logistical complications in making such a contest in both sevens and 15s, but there is nonetheless support for it from the USA team.

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Bull Shark 3 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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