Israel Folau has expressed a desire to play in Rio. Source: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images
WHEN National Sevens coach Geraint John said his 2016 Rio Olympics squad would only include players who could train with him from January 1 next year, it afforded a few old timers the opportunity for a bit of a giggle.
For many years the mecca of International Sevens Rugby was Hong Kong.
In 1978, the team Australia chose for that tournament was a handy enough group which included future Wallaby captains Tony Shaw, Paul McLean and Mark Loane and the man who scored four tries in one afternoon against the All Blacks later that year at Eden Park, Greg Cornlesen.
It was an excitable squad of 12 young players who met at Sydney airport before departure, with none of them having given any thought to the fact the ARU had opted not to attach a coach to the team.
Kurtley Beale playing for the Waratahs. Source: Getty Images
I can't swear to this, but I'm fairly certain a captain hadn't been appointed either.
I think by dint of the fact he was Queensland captain at the time, Mark Loane took charge, as both captain and coach, and at the first training session on arrival in Hong Kong began proceedings by asking if any of the assembled throng had ever played Sevens before.
Two hands were raised.
Suffice to say, Sevens rugby has moved on somewhat since then and is now given far weightier consideration by the code's administrators.
Indeed, as an Olympic sport, some argue that once this year's Rugby World Cup is done, the main focus for the year ahead should be ensuring Australian success in Brazil.
Quade Cooper would be a natural Sevens player. Source: Getty Images
That provides a whole bucket load of logistical issues and when the heads of our Super Rugby teams butt up against those of the ARU bosses on Tuesday to, among other things, try and find a solution to this quandary, the fallout will be fascinating.
How do you prioritise the best interests of the Wallabies, the Super 15 teams, the quest for an Olympic gold medal, the players themselves, and at the same time keep everybody satisfied. The answer is you can't.
If seeking Olympic glory were the top of the wish list, our very best team must include some of the games best athletes, and the majority of those are currently involved in the 15-man program. How would this look for a 12-man squad out of the Super 15 teams?
Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, Michael Hooper, Samu Kerevi, Sean McMahon, Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Speight.
Choose them, and immediately several players who have committed themselves to Sevens over recent years with an eye firmly on Brazil are squeezed out.
It doesn't seem fair, but nor does it seem fair to ignore the opportunity, not only of giving ourselves the best chance of winning an Olympic gold medal, but from rugby's point of view being seen by a market that otherwise could not be reached.
Michael Hooper's speed and power makes him a perfect fit for Sevens. Source: News Corp Australia
On the surface it would appear overly expectant to toss every last resource at Rio, but the potential leg-up rugby in this country would reap from an exciting and successful Olympic campaign is inestimable.
Admittedly they are different games, but success in Rio would undoubtedly generate enormous curiosity from parties previously uninterested in any form of the code.
A gold medal would have to prick some interest in the more common version.
The next problem of course would be that 15's rugby retain this potential new market by providing regularly exciting spectacles as well as plenty of success from Australian teams. Neither of these can be considered a given, but the Rio hurdle is the first one that must be jumped.
It's a complex web and there are no certain outcomes.
Even with a questionable preparation in 1978, Australia still were only very narrowly defeated in the semi-finals in Hong Kong.
Let's hope all the debate and disagreements certain to ensue before our Sevens team jumps on the plane to Rio, there might be a golden end to all the squabbling.
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