Article content continued

But core players on the sevens squad, led by Harry Jones and Nathan Hirayama, objected to the process, saying that while they understood the need for the men’s XV to progress to the RWC and were happy to be asked to be involved — six, including Connor Braid, Andrew Coe, Mike Fuailefau, Lucas Hammond, Nate Hirayama and Matt Mullins, had been expected to be involved in the RWC training group — they disagreed with the general move away from specialization in sevens.

They also were angered by Rugby Canada management moving to drastically reduce compensation for sevens players, including removing major bonuses that had been handed out to the entire squad in connection with the Canada Sevens tournament.

They were also upset by the abrupt dismissals of assistant coach Lee Douglas and long-time manager Brian Hunter.

“It’s 2018. 7s is no longer just a development tool. We have to get with the times or we’re going to get left behind,” Hirayama wrote in early September, after the sevens players didn’t show up for pre-season training at Rugby Canada’s base in Langford, B.C

Photo by DARRYL DYCK / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Jones told Postmedia at the same time it wasn’t about money, but about the status and structure of the program, and what they believed the correct approach was for chasing their Olympic dream.

“These players and staff have dedicated their lives and careers for moments like these. All we want is to keep chasing our dreams,” Jones said.

The sevens players began a union certification process with the B.C. Labour Relations Board last month. The board said it could move forward with a union vote, though Rugby Canada management pointed out that the players aren’t considered employees because they receive funding from Sport Canada.

Management said it did support the players creating a robust players’ association, though.

A number of former players, notably former sevens captain John Moonlight, along with former sevens and XV’s players Sean White, Chauncey O’Toole and Phil Mackenzie, were vocal critics of the decision-making process, as well as what they perceived as a de-emphasizing of sevens.

The critics pointed out that the physical demands of sevens are now vastly different from XV’s and so to ask players to bounce back and forth wasn’t reasonable.

Supporters of the change said Rugby Canada simply couldn’t afford to run both programs in the same manner any more and that a number of other countries were still finding success in sevens while using it as a development tool.

The sevens players pointed to the financial success of the Canada Sevens tournament, how it was serving to benefit all of Rugby Canada’s programs, but management have disputed that notion.

“We’re at a time when hard decisions are made,” Rugby Canada CEO Tim Powers said last month. “I’m the chief idiot if it doesn’t work out … but we can’t duct-tape ourselves anymore. The reality is, men’s XV’s is where the money comes from.”

Dubai pools announced

With just over a month to go until the opening of the World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai, it does make sense that a resolution is finally coming.

On Tuesday, the pools for the Dubai 7s were announced.