Abu Dhabi: Rugby sevens merits its maiden inclusion at next year’s Olympic Games over the 15-man game because of its greater simplicity and skill, according to 2003 World Cup winner Jason Robinson.
The former England winger never played sevens during his career, which began in rugby league before he moved to union in 1996, but has become a passionate proponent of the short form.
In Dubai for this weekend’s Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, which he hailed as “fantastic”, Robinson fully endorsed the decision to confirm sevens for the next two Olympic Games. Meanwhile, the 15-man game has not been played at the global showpiece since 1924.
“Sevens is better for the Olympics as it’s a simpler game and more skilful than the 15-man form,” Robinson, who is here in his role as an HSBC rugby ambassador, told Gulf News in a telephone interview on Tuesday. “I think it will get a lot of traction at the Olympics and people will enjoy watching it.”
Robinson is also thrilled to see some of the game’s luminaries add lustre to the abbreviated format. They include New Zealand centre Sonny Bill Williams, who has been a part of All Blacks’ second successive World Cup triumph in October.
Williams will be a special guest at this weekend’s extravaganza, where he will interact with fans at The Sevens Stadium but not take part.
“It’s great to see a world-class player like Sonny Bill Williams supporting sevens, which is a great form of the game requiring different skills to that of the 15-man game, namely more skill and endurance,” the 41-year-old Robinson said.
Dubai is playing host to the first leg of the 10-round HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, which ends in London in May and which visits five new destinations in Cape Town, Sydney, Vancouver, Singapore and Paris this season.
Robinson, who earned 51 caps for England between 2001 and 2007, winning the 2003 Six Nations title to add to his World Cup success, said the game is “going from strength to strength” thanks to the annual series.
“I’ve been coming out here for about five years now and it’s been great to see sevens played at such a high level. I would have loved to have played it back in the day when I was probably fit enough and fast enough to do it.
“Sevens, in the last five years, has gone from strength to strength. You see the level of players, their skill set and endurance they have got to play the game and look at the crowds, which have been amazing and make it a real festival, carnival atmosphere.
“More and more cities are now taking it on, with it sold out for the Cape Town leg next week.”
What makes Dubai such a special venue?
“It’s just a fantastic place,” Robinson, who won five caps for the British and Irish Lions in 2001 and 2005 and who also played rugby league for England and Great Britain.
“The weather is fantastic, the players like playing here, which is great. It’s in the middle of nowhere, so you can just come out and have a great day.
“The standard of rugby gets better and better every year. Everyone comes out to see world-class rugby.
“Why wouldn’t you turn to see that?”
