Raising the 7s bar
IN its quest to perform better in the IRB Sevens World Series the Fiji Rugby Union invited pundits and yours truly to be part of the sevens review team.We were asked to make submissions that FRU could take on board and it would implement as it sees fit.
This move by FRU is a good one, getting a few heads together to brainstorm solutions to our 7s woes.
Let us list down some thoughts in some order of merits:
1. Natural talents
What are Fijian rugby players' natural talents ù running, ball handling and reactionary (this reactionary is the ability to do the impossible or the unimagined).
With these in mind the next step is to see that we use these because they are already in-built, not taught so we should come up with plans to use them to the full.
2. Game plan
After discussing the above then a plan must be hatched as how the team must play a winning game taking into consideration the followings: Natural talents and Selection.
This selection must consider the followings:Talent and size.
The FRU must now seriously consider size of players to be selected on top of other requirements, bearing in mind the change in 7s game nowadays compared to the 70s & 80s.
Now, the game is more physical, almost like the 15s. Lot more committing on attack.
Size can also play a mental game, the opposition to just see the size of the Fijian players before the game distabilises their mental preparation thinking more of the physical tackle they will encounter and hence shall try and avoid being tackled. These players can take advantage of by hitting hard at every tackle.
To do this in the first game shall send messages to other teams to play against Fiji in the tournament. Hence, tackling and breaking through tackles are linked to SIZE.
Decision making ù decision making on the field is one of the most important factor in winning. It must start from the Captain.
The game plan can change on the field depending on how the opposition plays. Apart from the captaining calling the shots, each player also must be able to see, assess a situation and react very quickly.
Hence, team selection must now also consider the education background of players, especially in 7s when everything happens so quickly and in a very short game duration which does not allow rethinking periods etc.
Fitness ù the pace of the game has gone up to a new pace level and hence, players must be very fit.
A training program must be drawn up to match this. This fitness program must first consider the 7s game as opposed to 15s and to be determined beforehand what are the core requirements of the 7s game. For instance, Endurance, speed, hard tackling, etc.etc. Then the training program must be developed to address these areas to the full.
The late Brother Theophane (May he rest in peace) told our coach Pio Bosco Tikoisuva one evening when he was coaching us at the St John's/Marist 7s team and doing some sprinting training; he said the type of sprint training that should be applied is the short sprints and quick turnaround ù 5m and back; 10m and back; 15m and back; 20m and back (train as you play) but the emphasis is not only on the sprint but also on the turn around and back because this is how the game is played.
For instance, if you are tackled on being tackled get up quickly and carry on, do not take your time standing up.
3. Selection of Captain ù this is a very important consideration which I am afraid had not been well thought out in the past till today. Selecting the right person to be captain plays a big part 'in the team's performance either way.
The first consideration must be, "can he command the respect of the players?"
Second consideration can be; "has he got the decision making ability?" The current trend of captain selection tends to be "how good a player is he?"
This, together with the other two makes a perfect captain but, this minus the other two will not work.
The other important element which ties up with this is the timing of announcement of the captain.
Definitely not an hour or two before the game. He should be selected and this to be announced to the players at the same time as selection announcement.
The captain must start his work on displaying his captaincy role during camp times including training times. He must be encouraged to speak to players when opportunity arises and during team meetings. He must be allowed and encouraged to speak to the players. After all it shall be his voice the players will hear on the field.
They must get used to hearing his voice, the pressure on the field is such that they must be able to recognise his voice at an instant.
4. Training plan ù when above areas done then a training plan to be drawn up taking into account the considerations above.
5. Team unity/bonding/discipline ù this must be an everyday thing. For this to happen, discipline which is considered to be fair, must be the first thing to be undertaken. Other initiatives can be thought out that will enhance team bonding etc.
6. Fiji at heart: There must be a way where selectors etc can detect the willingness of the players to sacrifice a lot to play for the National 7s team not just the FRU 7s team.
They must be proud to play for their country. The rest are just rewards, like allowances, visit other countries, be in the media, supply of Kit etc. If it is the other way around then FRU shall never have a good team that can win.
7. Local 7s series
In the early 2000 the Colonial sponsored 7s series was a tremendous help in the success of the National 7s team because of the level of competition and frequency which allowed the players to really expose their talents and for selectors to select the best team.
8. Contract - My sources like me are not a great supporter of contract for players.
It will really depend on the players' reasons for wanting to play for the National team. If it is the contract, then he will not perform because he has achieved his objective.
Like it is said above, this must be a reward not an incentive.
The only incentive is to play for the country. The Board can do some more brainstorming on this. All the best.
Source:fijitimes.com