Brits go hi-tech in quest to win sevens

THE ENGLISH are going to new extremes in an attempt to end New Zealand’s Commonwealth Games rugby sevens reign.

Taking a high-tech approach to their Glasgow 2014 preparations, Google glasses and GoPro cameras are now being used as training tools by a team which has long been a breeding ground for innovation. New Zealand’s sevens side won the first Commonwealth gold medal at the 1998 Games in Malaysia, and have not lost a Games match since.

Simon Amor, who is coming to the end of his first season as England head coach, has turned to technology in an attempt to bring the run to an end.

Ben Ryan, Amor’s predecessor, introduced the GPS units which are now the standard training tools for all senior international teams.

English players are now put through sleep studies and occlusion training, a technique which involves restricting the flow of blood to the veins, and helps the development of fast-twitch muscle fibres.

Amor has gone for the gadgets, not to replace the brutal, vomitinducing training sessions his fulltime squad do, but to ensure he can get the most out of them.

‘‘The technology does not take away from the hard work and the sheer mental strength you need to be the athlete,’’ Amor said.

‘‘We use technology to add things on top. Sevens is about doing the basics well when you are shattered, how to recognise a three-versus-two, what communication will you use with

NEW ZEALAND SEVENS Commonwealth Games gold medals: Kuala Lumpur, 1998:

Manchester, 2002:

Melbourne, 2006:

Delhi, 2012: Losses at the Commonwealth Games between 1998 and 2010.

IRB Sevens World Series titles: Years Gordon Tietjens has coached the New Zealand Sevens team. the man inside you?

‘‘We are looking at technology – microphones, Google glasses, GoPro cameras – to pick up how people are communicating, what cues they are seeing and what options they are taking.’’