Building towards Rio 2012: NZ begins setting up completely dedicated 7s squad

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/sevens/8112563/Sevens-salary-increases-to-establish-career-paths

The NZRU are using their Olympics funding grant to boost the pay of their 7s squad, meaning that the core squad members won't have to play 15s at all to supplement income. Up to 10 players will become full time 7s players in 2013, rising to 20 after RWC 2015. 15s stars (and anyone else -RL players etc) wanting to chase Olympic gold will have to switch exclusively to 7s in 2016.

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/sevens/8112563/Sevens-salary-increases-to-establish-career-paths

The NZRU are using their Olympics funding grant to boost the pay of their 7s squad, meaning that the core squad members won't have to play 15s at all to supplement income. Up to 10 players will become full time 7s players in 2013, rising to 20 after RWC 2012. 15s stars (and anyone else -RL players etc) wanting to chase Olympic gold will have to switch exclusively to 7s in 2016.

Rio 2012?

To be honest, I kinda thought that's what the NZ sevens squad did already, I.e. they were 7s players all year round? This will probably make them even stronger, so they're bound to be favourites for gold.

Argie fan wrote:

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/sevens/8112563/Sevens-salary-increases-to-establish-career-paths

The NZRU are using their Olympics funding grant to boost the pay of their 7s squad, meaning that the core squad members won't have to play 15s at all to supplement income. Up to 10 players will become full time 7s players in 2013, rising to 20 after RWC 2012. 15s stars (and anyone else -RL players etc) wanting to chase Olympic gold will have to switch exclusively to 7s in 2016.

Rio 2012?

Big fingers on small iPad virtual keyboard.

Griff wrote:To be honest, I kinda thought that's what the NZ sevens squad did already, I.e. they were 7s players all year round? This will probably make them even stronger, so they're bound to be favourites for gold.

Previously the players were contracted for the IRB 7s series which runs from November - June. Pay was (barely) enough to live on through the year, but playing NPC in Aug-Oct gave a nice top up, albeit still less than could be earned in Super Rugby. 7s and 15s fitness is different (less weight, more speed in 7s), so ITM cup tends to be the highest level of 15 a 7s player can operate at.