Talking from Hong Kong, World Rugby’s boss Alan Gilpin considers the value of star names for the sport of sevens
In the wake of Michael Hooper’s sevens debut in Hong Kong, World Rugby boss Alan Gilpin was asked about the desire for more recognisable 15s stars to come across to sevens. With Antoine Dupont considered one of the faces of the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, and having helped France men to their first title on what is now the SVNS Series for 19 years, it’s a big talking point.
Indeed, it’s one Gilpin says has been at the forefront of the organisation’s thinking since it first looked like rugby would return to the Games, which it did in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.
Back then, Sonny Bill Williams made it all the way to Rio, only for him to partially rupture his achilles at the get-go of the Games. Others, like Ryan Kankowski and Bryan Habana failed to make the cut for South Africa.
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