SEVENS SEND OUT WISHLIST
A NEAR $ 2MILLION slush fund is likely to be put aside to help New Zealand achieve its high priority goal of winning two Sevens gold medals at the next Olympics.
The money is being put aside to ensure that high profile players such as Sonny Bill Williams, Liam Messam and Cory Jane are able to commit to the Sevens programme without being out of pocket.
If players of their calibre opt to skip all or part of Super Rugby in 2016, the New Zealand Rugby Union will have to pick up their salaries and also provide compensation so the franchises can contract replacements.
The NZRU began courting franchises about player release plans a few months ago.
In 2012 the NZRU released its vision for the next four years – placing the retention of the Rugby World Cup and two gold medals at Rio as their biggest playing objectives.
Typically Sevens is off limits to contracted Super Rugby players but not in 2016. The NZRU wants every player who is keen to be able to commit to the Olympics without contractual impediment.
A horses for courses policy is likely to be implemented where – depending on the age, profile, skills and sevens experience of the athlete in question – some will be advised to miss all of Super Rugby in 2016 while others will be able to commit to the abbreviated game closer to the Olympics.
There is strong support for the national body and an agreement in principle from the franchises that they will not stand in the way of players who indicate their desire to try out for the Olympics.
Focus on player availability is going to increase following New Zealand’s first defeat in five appearances at the Commonwealth Games which has sparked near panic in rugby circles. Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens called for All Black reinforcements only hours after the loss in the final to South Africa.
“I’ve sent out a huge wish list to all the players who I consider could be real contenders to go to the Olympics,” he said. “They will make a decision as to whether they want to be considered and if they do, then in that year sevens becomes the priority,” Tietjens said.
As well as Williams, Jane and Messam, Tietjens’ wishlist is likely to include others with Sevens experience such as Ben Smith, Charles Piutau and Julian Savea.
While all of the athletes likely to come under serious consideration will have sevens experience, the NZRU is conscious of allowing too many Super Rugby players to join the programme late in the piece and oust those specialists who have been an integral part of New Zealand’s success on the world circuit.