DUBBO Roos prop Benn Wright, annually, dreams of producing chip kicks in his own 22, throwing cut out passes and nailing drop goals from 30 metres out.
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He’s then, annually, told to shelve all of those ideas by his coach – until now.
The former Blue Bulls and Country Cockatoos prop is bringing a 100-kilogram plus division to this year’s inaugural Dubbo Roos Rugby Sevens tournament, to be run on March 11, 2017.
“Everything your coaches tell you not to do during the 15-a-side game, we do it in this; chip and chases, cut out balls, the lot,” he said.
“There’s plenty of points scored, mainly because every time someone makes a break, no one chases. It’s a true spectator sport.”
Next season will be the first time Dubbo has hosted a rugby sevens tournament, with Wright adding the success of the game on the Olympic stage was reason enough to give the format a crack.
It’s also why, on top of the 100kg-plus class and the opens class, Roos are also putting on a ladies division.
“Women’s rugby is important in the Central West. The more we can support it and give the girls avenues to play it, the better,” he said.
“We’ve spoken about it for a little while now, and we know there’s tournaments like the Orange City 10s and the like, but sevens is something largely untapped in this area.
“It’s a chance for us to run a tournament some of the bigger gentlemen who love the game don’t normally get the chance to participate in, then they can enjoy the social side of it all too.”
Wright said the March 11 event would be a one-day tournament, with games kicking off in the morning ahead of twilight finals.
The Roos bookend believes the benefits for the whole city will make the tournament, worth a collective pool of $10,000 to the winners of the three pools, well worth it.
“Then there’s the benefit of showing people what Dubbo has to offer,” he said.
“We’ve already attracted interest from sides in Sydney, Newcastle, the Far North Coast, Central North, those sorts of areas. Bringing those teams to the area is great thing for Dubbo.”
Additional information can be found via contacting info@dubborugbyclub.com.au, or contacting Wright on 0423 864 633.