Gold rush: Messam wants to go to Rio
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All Black Liam Messam is considering switching to Sevens rugby as the chance to win Olympic gold threatens to lure players from the 15-a-side ranks for the 2016 Rio Games.
Code-hopping former All Black Sonny Bill Williams, who has crossed back to rugby league, is also reported to be planning a return to union in time to try out for the New Zealand squad heading to the Olympics.
The shortened form of the game becomes a full medal sport in Rio, a year after the next Rugby World Cup in England.
"It's something that's definitely on my bucket list. It'll be pretty cool to try and compete for an Olympic gold medal, and Sevens is close to my heart and it always will be," said Messam.
New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens, who has steered his side to victory in 10 of the thirteen Sevens World Series, has already begun assembling a core group of players to form the nucleus of a potential Olympic squad.
He has also won approval from the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) to raid Super Rugby sides and take one player from each of the five New Zealand franchises to this year's Sevens World Cup in June.
The NZRU has told New Zealand's elite players that if they want to go to the Olympics they will not be allowed to play Super Rugby or Tests in 2016.
"Come 2016 we want to provide opportunities for Super Rugby players and All Blacks should they choose to have a crack at Sevens to be in the frame to go to Rio," said NZRU high performance manager Don Tricker.
"What that means in 2016 is complete immersion in Sevens, so they will not be playing in any other forms of the game in that one year."
Messam, who won Commonwealth Games gold medals in 2006 and 2010 with the New Zealand Sevens team, said he has already discussed with his family and manager the possibility of returning to the shortened form of the game.
Although he would be 32 in 2016, Messam does not believe age will count against him.
"If I was to go to the Olympics then I'd definitely have a full year of Sevens, try and do the circuit or something like that and try and get back to Sevens fitness because it is totally different fitness," he said.
Fairfax Media said it understood former All Blacks midfielder Williams wants to return to union in time to challenge for a place in the All Blacks 2015 World Cup squad before switching to Sevens for the Olympics.
Williams, who also dabbles as a professional boxer, would not elaborate on his long-term plans other than to say that when he retired "I just want to say I have tried lots of things, and I've done as well as I can".
Comments
Iyhel says...
@Carpelone: coz a xv's tournament can't seriously fit in two weeks time?
Besides 7s are highly entertaining especially for newbies and you can involve many more competitive nations than the traditional xv superpowers.
I love Sevens and 2016 will be the first time in many years that I find any interest in the Olympics.
Posted 22:19 13th February 2013
three6three6 says...
ArmchairGeneral has suggested that SBW could compete at the Olympics as a boxer... If he did then he would be the first 'professional' boxer to compete at the games.... this is an oddity.... we see professional tennis players and basketball players at the Olympics BUT only amateur boxers..... the trend in the past was always for a boxer to win an Olympic medal and then turn professional. This trend has not reversed itself as far as I know.
Posted 05:20 11th February 2013
bigb6969 says...
In 2016 I would make it the priority, no half measures, higher than tests or super rugby. If they are good enough, pick whoever is available. I want to win
Posted 03:36 09th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
SBW: Olympic boxing I assume
Posted 13:55 08th February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
I dunno, I just think its a bit harsh on the sevens players who've won pretty much every IRB series trophy since the creation of the event. I'm sure Isreal dagg would be brilliant at 7's but so's the guys who have given NZ a monstrous lead in this year's series.
Posted 15:10 07th February 2013
carpelone says...
Why did they choose R7 for Olympics? A damn waste of time. Rugby touch is more entertaining.
Posted 13:33 07th February 2013
passtheball says...
Messam was first choice for Titch in the Commonwealth Games where NZ picked up gold. He is still fit, fast, strong and extremely skilled so is a definite chance again. SBW would be a real handful on attack and defense and I reckon Titch would be very interested. A gold medal in Rio will be a real attraction and teams will need their very best players as 7s is spreading and the gap between teams is closing rapidly.
Posted 13:32 07th February 2013
Haldir says...
SBW is a no for sevens, but Messam is a slim possibility. However, the likes of Savea and Dagg returning to 7s are a great possibility. Shaun Johnson codeswapping for 2 years would be a great option too, but the production line of talent in NZ is as strong as ever - so who knows who they may get!
Posted 12:27 07th February 2013
shrimps says...
If anyone is going to switch, why not sprinters? Williams's game is about making space for runners where in very little space. he isnt too fast, fast but not the fastest. and messam? i don't know for sevens.
Posted 11:25 07th February 2013
fozza says...
Can't see how we could complain if people start going the other way. Off the top of my head I can remember Ugo Monye and Tom Varndell making their break through in the sevens. I also seem to remember James Hook getting noticed on the sevens circuit for Wales and I'm sure you can list any number of guys who came through the sevens circuit.
However, I would feel bad for the current core groups who are working their tails off to maintain the ridiculously high level of fitness they require, to then have their place for the olympics taken by a Sonny Bill or say a Ben Foden here in England on the year of the olympics... hard to stomach I imagine.
Posted 08:50 07th February 2013