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The Star
a day ago
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Rugby Premier League looks to revive Indian game through sevens league
Bengaluru (Reuters) -Nearly 150 years after the demise of Calcutta Football Club resulted in the creation of rugby's oldest international trophy, a new sevens league was launched this month with the aim of reviving the gladiatorial sport in India. The Rugby Premier League (RPL) has recruited top internationals from the World Sevens circuit to play alongside locals in six franchises under broadcast-friendly rule variations. Organisers not only want to lead a revival of local rugby to the extent that India one day qualifies for the Olympics, but believe they can help revolutionise the future of the game worldwide. "Rugby in India is not so popular and not because it's not played, it's played in more than 250 districts in India and there's a lot of talent pool available, but because people have not seen it," Satyam Trivedi, chief executive of co-organisers GMR Sports, told Reuters. "It has not been commercialized, originally or globally. It is a very aspirational sport. In countries like the UK, Australia, New Zealand, it's a private schoolboy sport, which is not how it is seen in India. "I'm sure with the league getting commercials, going on broadcast, some of the finest athletes of the world coming and participating, the audiences will see it and the sport will catch up." The launch of the RPL comes at a time when sevens, which took off after its inclusion for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, is facing challenges. Financial pressures have led to cutbacks in some programmes, with Ireland ending its men's programme and Britain's men's and women's going part-time at the end of July. World Rugby plans to introduce a three-division regular season in 2026, increasing the number of events to make the sport more cost-effective and competitive. UNCERTAINTY Unlike World Sevens tournaments, organised on national lines, each RPL squad features five top-level "marquee" players, five from India, and three more internationals dubbed "bridge" players. Scott Curry, who played 321 times for New Zealand's All Blacks Sevens team and represents the Bengaluru Bravehearts in the RPL, believes the franchise model could be a peek into the sport's global future. "The World Series has been changing a lot and there's a little bit of uncertainty there but to see something like this, a franchise league ... I think it could be the future of the game going forward for sure," Curry said. "Having franchises where players from all over the world can come and play together along with local Indian players is really exciting for our sport." Rugby India is another co-organiser of the RPL and its President Rahul Bose senses a major opportunity to get the eyes of 1.4 billion people on the game through the country's potential bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics. "After Indian hockey, we want to be the second team, and by that time (2036), it'll be 80 years that there's no other team that's gone to the Olympics from India," Bose said. "I'm not counting cricket, which is coming into the Olympics through a different route. But certainly when it comes to sports that have 100-plus nations playing it, like soccer and rugby, we've trained our eyes on that." Spaniard Manuel Moreno, who was named in the World Sevens series dream team last season and has been playing for the Hyderabad Heroes in the RPL, thinks India might not have to wait as long as 2036 given the Olympics has regional qualifiers. "It's a long way to try to compete with the best teams in the world ... the World Rugby Series, maybe is too far from now but maybe (India can qualify) for the Games as qualification is from the continent," Moreno said. "They (India) can do it in the next Olympic cycle. There are only two or three big teams in Asia. So I think they have a real possibility to be in the Los Angeles Games in 2028." Moreno might be being a little optimistic given India's men finished seventh in Asian qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics, while the women were sixth. Still, playing with the likes of Curry and Moreno can only help accelerate the development of local players and it might not be too long before Indian rugby is known for more than just the source of the trophy that England and Scotland play for every year. (Reporting by Suramya Kaushik in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Match Report: Bayern Munich Women 2-1 Man United Women
Manchester United Women lost the final of the World Sevens tournament 1-2 to Bayern Munich. The Red Devils confidently dispatched of Manchester City in the semi-final to set up an epic encounter with the free-flowing Germans who beat Paris Saint-Germain 5-0. Advertisement Both sides took some time to settle into the game but it was Bayern who almost opened the scoring. After five minutes, Pernille Harder snuck in at the front post but was well denied by an inspired Phallon Tullis-Joyce from close-range. Moments later United had the crossbar to thank as Magdalena Eriksson hit the bar with a fine volley from a corner. United had to be patient but had their first big moment after 10 minutes when great pressing from Elisbeth Terland resulted in Celine Bizet being presented with an open goal. Nonetheless, the Bayern keeper Maria Luisa Grohs made an outstanding reaction stop to deny United going ahead in the final. Advertisement On 13 minutes Caroline Simon almost fired the Germans in front with a well struck free kick but it belted off the base of Tullis-Joyce's post to keep the scores level. United finally got their noses in front just before half-time when Simi Awujo scored her third of the tournament. Melvine Malard kept hold of the ball well and found the Canadian in the box who took a touch and smashed the ball into the roof of the net. The half-time whistle blew and United were 15 minutes from glory. Bayern almost equalised after just two minutes of the second period but a fantastic double stop by Tullis-Joyce kept United ahead. Advertisement Marc Skinner's side's resistance finally gave way in the 22nd minute when a cross from Harder was expertly converted by Momoko Tanikawa to make it 1-1. After 24 minutes, United's American keeper made another spectacular save by keeping out Bayern from close range after a cleverly worked free kick. She immediately launched the ball up field and found Lisa Naalsund but she could only tamely drag her effort wide. In a very nervy final, it took a moment of magic to give Bayern the lead. On 26 minutes Sarah Zadrazil expertly held the ball up, spun and smashed in an unstoppable drive into the side netting to put the Bavarians in front. Advertisement United pushed for an equaliser but came up short and Bayern were champions. Nonetheless, it was a fine three day experience for the Women's team and they did the club proud with their efforts. Moreover, by finishing runner ups, United bagged $1 million and will hope they can put this to good use to help enhance the squad to compete in next year's Champions League. United will also take heart in the fact that their youngster Awujo was crowned the 'breakout star' of the tournament and she will hope to gain more first team minutes next season at the club. Featured image James Fearn via Getty Images Follow us on Bluesky: @
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Match Report: Bayern Munich Women 2-1 Man United Women
Manchester United Women lost the final of the World Sevens tournament 1-2 to Bayern Munich. The Red Devils confidently dispatched of Manchester City in the semi-final to set up an epic encounter with the free-flowing Germans who beat Paris Saint-Germain 5-0. Both sides took some time to settle into the game but it was Bayern who almost opened the scoring. After five minutes, Pernille Harder snuck in at the front post but was well denied by an inspired Phallon Tullis-Joyce from close-range. Moments later United had the crossbar to thank as Magdalena Eriksson hit the bar with a fine volley from a corner. United had to be patient but had their first big moment after 10 minutes when great pressing from Elisbeth Terland resulted in Celine Bizet being presented with an open goal. Nonetheless, the Bayern keeper Maria Luisa Grohs made an outstanding reaction stop to deny United going ahead in the final. On 13 minutes Caroline Simon almost fired the Germans in front with a well struck free kick but it belted off the base of Tullis-Joyce's post to keep the scores level. United finally got their noses in front just before half-time when Simi Awujo scored her third of the tournament. Melvine Malard kept hold of the ball well and found the Canadian in the box who took a touch and smashed the ball into the roof of the net. The half-time whistle blew and United were 15 minutes from glory. Bayern almost equalised after just two minutes of the second period but a fantastic double stop by Tullis-Joyce kept United ahead. Marc Skinner's side's resistance finally gave way in the 22nd minute when a cross from Harder was expertly converted by Momoko Tanikawa to make it 1-1. After 24 minutes, United's American keeper made another spectacular save by keeping out Bayern from close range after a cleverly worked free kick. She immediately launched the ball up field and found Lisa Naalsund but she could only tamely drag her effort wide. In a very nervy final, it took a moment of magic to give Bayern the lead. On 26 minutes Sarah Zadrazil expertly held the ball up, spun and smashed in an unstoppable drive into the side netting to put the Bavarians in front. United pushed for an equaliser but came up short and Bayern were champions. Nonetheless, it was a fine three day experience for the Women's team and they did the club proud with their efforts. Moreover, by finishing runner ups, United bagged $1 million and will hope they can put this to good use to help enhance the squad to compete in next year's Champions League. United will also take heart in the fact that their youngster Awujo was crowned the 'breakout star' of the tournament and she will hope to gain more first team minutes next season at the club. Celebrating the Breakout Star of the Tournament 🏅🌟 Our one and only, Simi Awujo 🥹❤️#MUWomen || #WorldSevensFootball — Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) May 23, 2025 Featured image James Fearn via Getty Images Follow us on Bluesky: @
Rhyl Journal
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Manchester United beat rivals City to reach final of inaugural World Sevens
Both teams advanced from their groups in the lucrative seven-a-side event in Estoril and it was United who set up a final against Bayern Munich later on Friday thanks to goals from Melvine Malard and Gabby George. Malard opened the scoring in only the fourth minute with a terrific volley into the top corner that gave Khiara Keating no chance. We've reached the @WorldSevens_ final! 😍👏#MUWomen || #WorldSevensFootball — Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) May 23, 2025 Keating was a key last line of defence for City in the remainder of the first half, though, denying Grace Clinton and Malard again with fine saves. United kept up the pressure at the start of the second period of 15 minutes and Clinton hit the bar before George made sure of the victory with a near-post finish. Earlier, Bayern swept to a 5-0 victory over Paris St Germain, with Momoko Tanikawa scoring twice and Sarah Zadrazil, Maria Plattner and Jovana Damnjanovic once each.
Rhyl Journal
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Manchester United beaten by Bayern Munich in inaugural World Sevens final
Marc Skinner's side defeated Manchester City 2-0 in the semi-finals and took the lead against Bayern in the seven-a-side event but ultimately fell to a 2-1 loss. United's efforts still earned them one million euros (approximately £840,000), with Bayern taking home 2.5million euros (approximately £2.1million). 🏆 @FCBayern ARE YOUR WORLD SEVENS FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS! They take home the crown, the trophy, and $2.5 MILLION 💰@ManUtdWomen fought hard and walk away with a well-earned $1 MILLION. History made. Legends crowned. An unforgettable 3 days. — World Sevens Football (@worldsevens_) May 23, 2025 United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Bayern counterpart Ena Mahmutovic had both made good saves before United took the lead just before half-time against the run of play, Melvine Malard setting up Simi Awujo for a fizzing finish. But Bayern responded strongly and Momoko Tanikawa, who scored twice in their 5-0 semi-final win over Paris St Germain, equalised before Sarah Zadrazil struck the winner with three minutes remaining. Ella Toone sat out Friday's matches with what the PA news agency understands is some tightness, with the England star keen not to take any risks ahead of the European Championship. Earlier, goals from Malard and Gabby George were enough to give United victory over City. We've reached the @WorldSevens_ final! 😍👏#MUWomen || #WorldSevensFootball — Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) May 23, 2025 Malard opened the scoring in only the fourth minute with a terrific volley into the top corner that gave Khiara Keating no chance. Keating was a key last line of defence for City in the remainder of the first half, though, denying Grace Clinton and Malard again with fine saves. United kept up the pressure at the start of the second period of 15 minutes and Clinton hit the crossbar before George made sure of the victory with a near-post finish. City eventually finished fourth after losing 3-1 to PSG in the third-placed play-off.
