by Michael Husson
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
Rugby 7s, the quicker variation of traditional 15-a-side rugby union, is on the fast track to popularity in the United States. Long enjoyed by the rest of the world, 24 nations compete annually in tournaments in nine countries in the HSBC Sevens World Series. The USA Sevens tournament in Las Vegas has grown to be the largest rugby event in North America, drawing more than 60,000 fans over three days in February. The debut of rugby 7s at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro should serve as the tipping point for the sport stateside.
Back in Glendale, Raptors Head Coach Andre Snyman, himself a former 7s star for his native South Africa’s national team, has already moved on from Glendale’s stinging one-point loss in the Pacific Rugby Premiership (the top U.S. rugby 15s competition) final in May, and is looking forward to the Raptors 7s summer tournament season. “We’re already practicing with the focus of finishing strong at all three qualifiers,” says Snyman. Glendale will compete regionally at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City on June 21, in Kansas City, Mo. on July 12, and in Omaha, Neb. on July 26. The top two clubs will move on to the national Men’s Club 7s Championship tournament Aug. 9 and 10, site to be determined.
Snyman joined the Glendale staff in 2011 in time to coach the 7s squad and has since assumed head coaching duties of the 15s side (PRP), in addition to a recent appointment as the USA Men’s Eagles Sevens defense coach.
7s rugby is played seven-a-side on the same size field as 15s (approximately 100 meters — or 109 yards — from goal-line to goal-line) in seven-minute halves (one-minute halftimes). Snyman knows, “You need to be very fit, fast and skilled. If you’re lacking any skill on offense or defense, you’ll stand out and the other team will take advantage of that.” The Raptors may play up to six matches in each regional qualifying tournament, making for a dramatic day of stops and starts, 15-minute bursts of energy followed by short periods of recovery.
Last year, the Raptors went into the third regional qualifier needing to come out on top to advance to the national championships in Pittsburgh. They ran off five straight wins, including three versus clubs who had beaten Glendale earlier in the season. The final was against crosstown rival the Denver Barbarians, also needing the win to advance. The Barbos squeaked by on a late try, 14-17, ending the Raptors’ club season but not their 7s summer.
Glendale has hosted August’s annual Serevi RugbyTown Sevens international invitational tournament since 2012, and the Raptors have fielded a team each year. In 2013, the Raptors went 2-1 in pool play, and beat the Northeast Rugby Union and French Armed Forces to advance to the Cup Final, but fell to the USA All-Americans collegiate all-star squad. It was, however, the top finish for a club team in SRS history and a jumping-off point for this season.
The 2014 Serevi RugbyTown Sevens, Aug. 15-17, promises to be the best yet. Seventeen teams from eight countries will be competing for the winner-take-all $10,000 purse, including four national teams looking to break onto rugby’s big stage. All five U.S. military branches will participate again, as will the 2012 champion USA Falcons, made up from the USA Men’s Eagles player pool, and the aforementioned USA All-Americans.
The Saturday beerfest will take place again this year. “Bruises and Brews” will feature unlimited tastings from 15 craft breweries (mostly local) and three Colorado distilleries, all adjacent to the rugby action for a perfect view with your perfect pour. This year, attendees may purchase larger pours in order to explore the stadium and enjoy the live music up close.
Friday will conclude Serevi’s youth camp in the morning and lead in to the tournament’s kickoff and a Friday Afternoon Club with discounted admission before 3 p.m.
Sunday debuts “A Taste of Glendale,” where more than 10 local eateries will offer meals priced at $5 or less. Diners will be able to enjoy the tournament’s playoffs from the Festival Plaza overlooking the rugby pitch.
In addition to the cash prize, the Serevi RugbyTown Sevens champion will receive an automatic bid to the 2014 Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens, in the homeland of Serevi founder and rugby legend Waisale Serevi, the “King of 7s.”
Rugby 7s, a variation of the game invented more than 100 years ago, appears tailor-made for the modern sports fan’s tastes. From New Zealand to Hong Kong, the newest Olympic sport has never been hotter, and Glendale and the entire Denver metro area are in for a treat this summer as the Raptors pursue a national championship, and national recognition in the three-day celebration known as the Serevi RugbyTown Sevens.