New Rugby Sevens relegation system has players on edge
NEWS: Australia’s Sevens captain Henry Hutchison has opened up about the stress and excitement of the new relegation system, saying he will do his utmost to ensure his team doesn’t fall victim to it.
Rugby Sevens hits Perth this weekend, with the Australian women aiming to defend their crown from last year and the men keen to improve on their runners-up finish.
But it’s the competition’s new format – which includes a promotion and relegation aspect – that is lingering in the back of everyone’s minds.
Global Sevens has been split up into three divisions for both the men’s and women’s competitions, with eight nations competing in tier one.
Those eight nations will play in six tournaments around the globe before being joined by four promoted tier-two nations for the all-deciding World Championship Series, which comprises three tournaments and will see all nations start on zero points.
The series will not only crown the competition’s winners, it will also relegate four teams from both the men’s and women’s leagues.
It means a tier-two nation could theoretically earn promotion and then immediately win the World Championship Series by dominating the last three events – to be held in Hong Kong, Valladolid, and Bordeaux.
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It also means a country such as Australia could be relegated if they flop in the season-ending series.
The Australian women are a dominant force and are unlikely to find themselves in a relegation scrap any time soon.
But given the evenness of the men’s competition, the Australian men could find themselves in danger if they endure a run of injuries or hit poor form at the wrong time of the year.
“Look, there’s a lot at stake,” Hutchison said.
“When it comes to the last three events, the 12 teams will fight for eight spots, and four will fall back out.
“It means 33 per cent of the competition gets relegated, which is huge.
“I don’t know if there’s a competition in the world like that, so it’s stressful, that’s for sure.”
Hutchison can see the pros and cons of the new concept, and said no nation in the men’s competition was safe.
“It’s great for the spectator, stressful for the player. But I want to compete with that,” Hutchison said.
“We need to be on our A game every game, and that’s just going to make us a better team and better players.
“There’s a lot of stress on us to perform at the right time.
“It’s a little bit to get our head around, but World Rugby and Sevens rugby are doing their best to make it the most marketable, profitable product.”
Perth is stop No.4 on the Rugby Sevens calendar.
