The growth of Rugby Sevens over the last ten years has been explosive: it's fast-paced and the scores are thrilling.
This variation of traditional rugby, with smaller teams and shorter games, has created its own niche in sports.
There have been various reasons behind its rise. First, it has become an Olympic sport. This fact has brought millions to watch the game as first-time viewers, making it famous worldwide. The annual series of international tournaments known as the World Rugby Sevens Series also facilitated the expansion of this version of rugby. Dubai, Hong Kong and Cape Town are hosting these events which have become big highlights on any sporting calendar.
The Rugby Sevens format is a major attraction. The shorter matches consist of two seven-minute halves, ensuring fast-paced and action-packed games. This brevity makes the sport more accessible for new fans to comprehend. It also allows for multiple games in a day during tournaments. Furthermore, the sport's adaptability has facilitated its growth, as it requires fewer resources compared to the 15-a-side version, making it easier to organise and play in various locations.
The rise of Rugby Sevens has caught the eye of the sports betting industry. It is fast-paced and high-scoring, making it ideal for live betting, especially. Its dynamic nature will lead to frequent and substantial changes in rugby betting odds. For example, odds can move rapidly during a match between top teams such as New Zealand and Fiji. This sees New Zealand change from 5/6 favourites to Fiji leading at 6/4.
Therefore, including sports betting in these activities can increase fan involvement. Fans become more interested in specific plays or matches’ results. The sports organisations carry out collaborations with gambling firms, resulting in unique content, real-time stats, and other special bets. Furthermore, platforms have guides for all types of ball sports, like betting tips for NBA, meant to help fans make informed choices. They cover team matchups and show how different play styles interact.
Athletes switch in an instant from attacking to defensive positions. Rugby Sevens is a compacted format of the game, similar to the non-stop action of basketball, wherein scores could change within seconds.
In fact, it does share similarities with basketball. This indicates possible influences across sports in training and planning. In Rugby Sevens, speed, agility and endurance are highly valued. Players must maintain high levels of performance for brief but intense matches. These are known as high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and plyometrics. They help increase explosive power and agility.
Basketball involves intricate tactical planning with complex play calls focusing on exploiting weaknesses in the defence. These strategic complexities could offer valuable insights to rugby coaches. Implementing structured plays for offence and defence in rugby, like basketball, could potentially lead to improved game management and the effective utilisation of player strengths.
The emergence of Rugby Sevens has revolutionised sports through its speed, accuracy, and goal-scoring prowess, among other attributes. Its impact on sports is prone to continue growing, heralding a new era of athletic greatness and excitement.
