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Rugby sevens was played at the Olympics for the first time at the 2016 Summer Olympics, with both men's and women's contests. It was added to the Olympics following the decision of the 121st IOC Session in Copenhagen in October 2009.
The only winners so far:
2016- Gold: Fiji
2020- Gold: Fiji
2024- Gold: France
2028- Gold: ???
Before rugby sevens, the 15-a-side version of rugby was played at the Olympics in 1900, 1908, 1920, and 1924. However, efforts to include rugby sevens in the Olympics began in the early 2000s as it was growing more popular.
What are the differences between 7s and 15-a-side rugby?
| Rugby 7s | Rugby Union |
|---|---|
| Rugby Sevens has 7 players per team, as the name suggests | Rugby Union has 15 players per team |
| Has 2 halves of 7 mins each with a short half time | Has 2 halves of 40 mins each with a 15 min half-time |
| The field dimensions are the same as in rugby union, but with fewer players, meaning there is more open space and faster gameplay. | The field dimensions are the standard size, and with more players, so the game is more structured and physical. |
| The game is faster paced and tries are scored more often | The game is more tactical and physical and uses set pieces more |
| Scoring is fairly often | Scoring is rarer due to more players on the pitch |
| Only allowed 5 subs per match | Allowed 8 subs per match |
| Short, multi-game tournaments over a single weekend, with teams playing multiple matches in a day. | Features longer competitions, such as domestic leagues, international test matches, and multi-week tournaments like the Rugby World Cup. |
Rugby sevens is all about speed, skill, and smart moves. With fewer players and lots of space, it's fast and exciting to watch!
Rugby sevens requires a mix of skills because it's a fast and dynamic game. Players need speed, agility, and stamina to move across the open field, along with strength for tackling and rucking. Good ball handling is vital, and smart kicking or tackling can make a big difference. Quick decisions, strong teamwork, and the ability to adapt are also key to staying ahead. These skills make rugby sevens thrilling to play and watch (as previously mentioned)!
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