Summer of Sevens to be staged at Rugby Park over two days

A REVITALISED Summer of Sevens will light up Rugby Park this weekend

A REVITALISED Summer of Sevens will light up Rugby Park this weekend.

Last year’s six-week competition has been revamped into a tight two-day schedule.

Mosquitoes head coach Tim Atkinson.

It will act as a pathway to selection for the NT Mosquitoes, who will participate at the National Sevens Championships next month.

Mosquitoes head coach Tim Atkinson said the tournament’s new format was relevant, considering all major sevens competitions run over a similar time frame.

“It’s on Saturday night, then Sunday morning; it’s a good concept because a major part of sevens is backing up the next day,” he said.

Atkinson said the ruthless format required a peak level of fitness.

“You need a big engine; guys at the top level — they are elite runners these days,” he said.

“You need to be well conditioned — similar to an Aussie rules athlete — it puts all your skills under the microscope.”

Atkinson said successful players could come from any sporting background.

“You don’t necessarily have to come from rugby to play sevens,” he said.

“It suits a lot of the Aussie rules guys who have the running with them, and touch football players.

“You need a bit of bulk, but not to the extent you need in the 15s.”

Both the men’s and youth boys’ competitions will run across the weekend, with all Darwin clubs participating.

NT Rugby’s development team will find a position for any prospective player, with previous rugby experience no pre-requisite for participation.