Rugby Sevens returns to the Olympic stage in Paris with a thrilling mix of speed, strategy, and athleticism. From its roots in medieval times to its modern Olympic resurgence, we explore the history of the sport, the key players to watch, and the upcoming tournament schedule.
World Rugby Hall of Famer Waisale Serevi, widely regarded as the greatest rugby sevens player ever, has been appointed head coach of the Indian men’s and women’s teams. The Fijian legend, known as the ‘King of Sevens’, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having led Fiji to their first world series title and coached teams in various countries. Serevi aims to help India reach new heights in rugby, drawing parallels to his successful development of the sport in the USA.
Former England cricket captain Kevin Pietersen took to social media to express his admiration for a video of a South African schoolboy nailing a stunning 75-meter rugby kick. The video, originally shared by Darren, showcased the young player’s impressive distance and accuracy during a match. Pietersen retweeted the video, tagging renowned New Zealand rugby player Beauden Barrett and questioning if it was real. The post garnered significant attention, receiving nearly 300,000 views and close to 500 likes within a day. Social media users praised the young athlete’s talent, with some commenting on the prevalence of rugby in South Africa and others recalling their presence at the match confirming the authenticity of the kick.
Rugby Australia chairman Daniel Herbert has revived calls for the Wallabies and All Blacks to play a Bledisloe Cup game on Anzac Day, citing the success of State of Origin as proof that a “flagship event” could be slotted into the Super Rugby schedule. Herbert believes rugby needs to embrace bold ideas built around commerciality and entertainment, and let go of the “amateur baggage” holding the game back. New Zealand Rugby has traditionally been conservative around embracing major change, but Herbert said after the COVID-19 period proved innovative scheduling can be successful, rugby needs to start thinking like commercially driven US sporting bodies. Herbert also discussed the Rebels’ long-term future, saying it would be based on financial viability and not performance, played down speculation of the possible return of Argentina’s Jaguares team to Super Rugby, and expressed concerns about New Zealand’s plans to tour South Africa during the Rugby Championship.
Making history, Jesuit High School from Sacramento County will become the first American team to participate in the 2024 Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament in Japan. The tournament, scheduled during Japan’s Golden Week holiday from April 24th to May 6th, will host teams from South Korea, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Fiji, China, and now, the United States.
The Rugby Pod goes global this week, with Jim in Tokyo, Japan, Bigs in the South of France, and Rob in sunny Stockton-on-Tees. They’ve got loads for you this week, including some intel on Jim’s interviews with Ardie Savea, Eddie Jones, and PSDT, Leinster and the monster squad they’re building over there in Dublin, a big showdown in the Top 14 and the run-in for the premiership and URC is heating up. Enjoy!
Princess Kate, the Princess of Wales, is aiming to balance her youngest son Prince Louis’s energetic nature while encouraging appropriate behavior for public events. She seeks to guide him towards a more composed demeanor in formal settings, while recognizing his love for sports and the need for guidance in managing his enthusiasm.
Wally Lewis, a legendary rugby player, has urged the government to provide funding for support services and education about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Lewis, who has been diagnosed with probable CTE, spoke at a National Press Club address, sharing his experiences with the condition. He emphasized the fear and anxiety that CTE has brought into his life, and stressed the importance of raising awareness about the condition and implementing prevention programs.
Sherif Lanre, who was removed from Love Island in 2019 for an offensive remark, has found love again. The 25-year-old shared a photo of his new girlfriend on Instagram, keeping her name private. Sherif has apologized for his past behavior and has been focusing on his rugby career and cheffing. Despite leaving Love Island after only nine days, Sherif has secured modeling contracts and no longer regrets his time on the show, although he acknowledges its superficiality.
The Princess of Wales has revealed her fears that her youngest son, Prince Louis, might be too aggressive in his approach to rugby. Louis, known for his mischievous and energetic personality, apparently enjoys the physicality of the sport. However, Princess Kate expressed concerns during a training session with the England Rugby team and a meeting with England’s Wheelchair Rugby League squad. The Princess also mentioned that Prince Harry, Louis’s uncle, is a big fan of rugby and admits that it ‘captured his heart’.
