Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: History of Rugby World Cup Sevens

Thursday, March 19, 2009

History of Rugby World Cup Sevens - Part 1

The 2009 IRB Rugby Sevens World Cup came to a close in Dubai recently with Wales coming out victors over Argentina in a tournament that produced some exciting rugby and more than a few upsets.

Sevens rugby has come a long way since its humble beginnings in Melrose in Scotland, way back in 1883. What started out as a venture to raise funds for a struggling club is now a worldwide phenomenon, spanning the globe with its brand of fun and excitement, not only on the field, but off it too.

In Part 1 of this excellent video series we get to see how the shortened version of the sport first started out, how it spread, and we see highlights from the 1973 tournament in Edinburgh, in which Ireland and England battled it out for the honours in a keenly contested final at Murrayfield.

With old footage and interviews with legendary players, this video is a must watch for rugby fans who’d like to know more about the history of this fantastic version of the game.

Time: 08:38

I know rugby's trying to get into the Olympics, so we're all supposed to be excited by sevens rugby but, seriously, I can't do it.
It's not real rugby, it's like futsal, a bit of fun and a good development tool for young players and players from fringe countries.

By Anonymous, at March 19, 2009 10:29 am
Was that really Dallaglio beating Serevi on the inside? God, I must be older than I thought....

Great clip, thanks.

But what an evil and cruel sport to play. You have to have the lungs of Lance Armstrong, the step of Campese, and the toughness of a Bunce to play, it's not like 15's where you can hide for a few minutes to throw-up yer liver...

7 minutes on the Park playing and you realise just how pathetic you really are...very sobering.

Now, I'm ready to watch more please.

By Kerivoula, at March 19, 2009 10:30 am
Awesome.. some great tries there in the 1973 matches.

By Anonymous, at March 19, 2009 2:15 pm
God that was awesome... JJ williams and Gareth Edwards playing 7's, mad!

By Anonymous, at March 19, 2009 2:25 pm
cracking video! Looking forward to parts 2 and 3!

By Anonymous, at March 19, 2009 2:31 pm
The first anonymous comment must be from a prop or a very fat back.

By Anonymous, at March 19, 2009 3:22 pm
Great video, thanks for posting it. I love 7s; it's great fun for players and spectators, it requires amazing athleticism, and it allows clubs/countries that can't field a great 15s side to show what they can do. WHY ISN'T IT IN THE OLYMPICS?!!

By Unknown, at March 19, 2009 4:45 pm
there where some speedsters back in the day!

By Anonymous, at March 19, 2009 5:09 pm
Have to say I love it!

Plus at this years Melrose 7's Serevi is retiring...

the end of a era

By Anonymous, at March 19, 2009 5:24 pm
Awesome. Like the other posts, I look forward to part 2 and 3. I so hope 7's gets into the Olympics. A perfect spectator sport.

By Anonymous, at March 19, 2009 5:47 pm
7's is a great game!!

By Anonymous, at March 19, 2009 11:58 pm
Yeah... great vid .

Reason no.1 its not in Olympics: Women's 7s .

Thankfully the IRB have realised this and had the inaugural RWC tournament in Dubai .

not that that's gonna make any difference come 2012... 2016 ?

By boomshanka, at March 20, 2009 12:17 am
Sevens is the best kind of rugby

By Anonymous, at March 20, 2009 11:39 pm
It's a different game, but great fun nonetheless. Wonderful to see the "old" guys!

By Anonymous, at March 21, 2009 1:18 am
It really pisses me off whenever I hear or read rugby fans saying 7s rugby IS NOT "real rugby". Lets be very honest, 7s is the only code in RUGBY where any rugby playing nation is able to (i) qualify (ii) compete and (iii) possibly win the tournament. Without 7s, 15s rugby will be just as bad as LEAGUE. A game only played by a few nations in a major competition and is not as widespread as we would like it to be.

Apart from the tier 1 nations (+ Pacific islands 3) rugby is not that big without 7s...FACT

By Anonymous, at March 24, 2009 2:46 pm