Maties Sevens captain Rob Ahlers expects the new powerplay to be a ‘gamechanger’ at the Varsity Sevens in Camps Bay this weekend.
The second Varsity Sevens tournament will feature a new innovation with each team allocated a one-minute powerplay period in which any points scored will count double.
It will be a tactical decision which will be called by the coach, although if it is not used the final minute of the match will automatically be a powerplay.
Another interesting aspect is that, similarly to Varsity Netball, it will apply to both sides no matter which team calls it, which could create some serious drama.
Former Springbok captain and Varsity Sports sport director, Francois Pienaar explained: “The innovation with Sevens rugby is the powerplay. The coach will call the powerplay and then for a minute there will be music, lights, cameras, action and any team that scores in that time, their try will count double the amount of points.
“The powerplay and when it is called is going to be crucial. You might be ten points down and you call the powerplay and score a try and all of a sudden you are level.
“It has got to be visual, so the coaches will call it. There will be music and then for the next minute, which is quite a lot of time in Sevens, a try is worth double,” he said.
Pienaar said that the tactical use of the powerplay will only add to the excitement in Camps Bay.
“Do you call it when you behind or when you are ahead? Where on the field do you call it? In Sevens that is crucial, do you just call it when they are close to the line and you have got the ball?
“You have to use the powerplay, so if you haven’t taken it then it kicks in in the last minute of the game. You have got to be very strategic,” he said.
Defending champions Maties know that they will have their work cut out to retain their title, and their skipper Ahlers admitted that the new powerplay could turn the tournament on its head.
“It is a huge game-changer, in rugby you normally feel comfortable when you are one try ahead so now if you are not absolutely smashing your opposition they can break through and score at the end.
“I think it is going to be quite a vital call as to when you call the powerplay, it is obviously going to be closer to their line, but if you don’t make use of it and the opposition does unfortunately even if you dominate the game they could win it at the end,” he said.
