Just noticed that the 7-a-side version has been voted into the 2016 Rio games. I admit to watching the odd game of Yawnion whiich can be tedious to say the least at times, however, I also spent a day at the boo camp watching the 7's during the Commonwealth Games and actually enjoyed it as a spectacle. Now I may get shot down in flames for suggesting this but surely Olympic 7's would benefit by having some sort of a hybrid RU/RL version? After all I seem to remember Wigan winning the Middlesex 7's, under Yawnion rules, back in the days when the cross-code challenges took place. We all know that RL players (in general) are the better athletes and, IMO, it would be great to see the best players from each sport playing together.

Any thoughts on this?

will they be unwaged has i thought the olympic ideal was amateurism and sportsmanship or am i living in another world. I also see Sky shots as been included as well, are there any courses in brazil or will more of the rain forest be hacked down.

Oh yes and Usain Bolt earns nothing from running.

The Olympics ideal was morally bust many years ago, look at basketball with"the Dream team" or Tennis

Think that went out the window many moons ago, Baseball & Basketball being the prime examples. As far as I am aware (and I stand to be corrected) none of the Olympic participants are paid as such, bar expenses, it's all about the Olympic medal. Obviously the spin-off of being Olympic champion/medalist pays off financially in the long run with future appearance money etc. Being a big Cricket fan I'd love to see something like the Hong Kong 6's brought in but not sure they'd consider it.

Remember Jeff Clare who played for us a while back (late 80's/ early 90's maybe - sure someone can shed some light)? He used to throw the discus and was told he couldn't go for the olympics because he was a professional sportsman (bear in mind how little he would have earned playing for our A Team at that time). At the same time Tessa Sanderson turned down an invite to a grand prix because the money wasn't right. Since then they have becomless hypocritical and just let everyone in. Sorry for the useless trivia.

I went to that too, andquite enjoyed it.

Did wonder about how many of the countries felt the need to do a Haka though?!

Many RL players could potentially be very successful in Sevens - didn't Nat McAvoy play Sevens for England at some point?

Rings a bell does that, though I don't think he was in the Commonwealth Squad. Henry Paul, Marcus St Hilaire and Paul Sampson played for England though, with Vainokolo and Vaikona in the Tonga squad (yes, Vainokolo has represented 3 separate countries in his sporting career).

Shows what a farce International RL is?!

Tony Carroll playing for Australia and New Zealand against the other team in the space of about 2 seasons was another embarrassment.

How long until players change nationality during the half time break?!?

good one

Let be fair here. It isn't just rugby league is it? I can't stand this swapping nationalities. How can you play with pride if you can't dcide where you are from but it is sport wide so rugby league isn't alone in being farcical.