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Robin Heymann

In the diaries of rugby 7s aficionados all over Europe, The Heineken Amsterdam Sevens has firmly become a ‘must’, now competing with heavyweights on the circuit such as Dubai and Hong Kong.

For non-7s devotees out there this might seem rather strange – rugby and The Netherlands might perhaps not always seem to go hand in hand - but that’s where Sevens comes in to surprise you once again. For 39 years Amsterdam has carved a reputation as one of the premier elite tournaments in the business and certainly the most prestigious in continental Europe. It has been a perennial highlight on the rugby calendar since 1972, when the AAC Rugby Club organised its first tournament.

Once again the best of the best in the invitational 7s game will be in residence at Sportpark de Eendrach over the weekend. Since 2005, the mighty Samurai International have monopalised the major crown jewels in the Netherlands. With Terry Sands consistently bringing a talented squad, indeed last year’s side effectively a shadow South African team preparing for Twickenham. So who can break their stranglehold?

One team hoping to avoid their clutches are Amsterdam old time favourites Gilbert Stoned Pups, who in 2008 ran into the Samurai in the semi-finals, losing 35-0 whilst also losing out to them 24–5 in 2007. They are back this year once again with the likes of Ken Aseme orchestrating their title hopes. The Kooga Wailer’s consistency almost guarantees them to feature in the latter stages of most tournaments they enter and the runners up from Dubai are back, once again under the stewardship of Newcastle Falcon’s Tim Visser.

The last team to win here, other than Samurai, were the original Marauders back in 2004. Managed by Barrie Torbett, they have already enjoyed success in Kinsale this year and are always a threat. Millfield Old Boys are another side not to be taken lightly, having secured the services of the likes of Tom Powell, Tom Parker and Mark Odajobi and warming up nicely with a relatively comfortable win at the Middlesex Club Sevens at Richmond.

Oh and the supposedly ‘retired’ Waisale Serevi is over with Mels Exiles again – I’ve heard he is pretty malleable in being persuaded to get on the paddock to play some minutes.

Other European sides on show in the ‘dam are German challengers Bavarian Lions, Italians URC Roma and the Belgium and Ukraine National Sides - plus national champions from Russia, Czech Republic and Moldova.

Another key cog in what makes Amsterdam tick is the quality of the Ladies Tournament too, with the competition in 2008 being the strongest event of its kind in the world that year. The Samurai St George team, in essence the England national team, are back to defend their trophy. Following the disappointing Quarter-Final World Cup exit in March, the English will be looking to right some wrongs but face stiff opposition once again in the form of charity team, Wooden Spoon, whom they beat in Dubai at the end of last year and are regulars at major events such as Kinsale.

Tournament organiser, Neal Anderson, explains that one of the tournament’s key selling points is its position in the 7s calendar.

‘The timing of the tournament is ideal for attracting quality players because of the IRB’s London Sevens the week after Amsterdam, so a lot of players use Amsterdam as preparation’ said Anderson.

‘We have lots of contacts with clubs in the UK and other countries so we never have problems getting teams here.’

Apart from the obvious star-quality you are guaranteed here, another big draw for teams and players is the unique atmosphere that the tournament seems to generate year on year.

‘Amsterdam has a very distinctive culture which doesn’t exist at other tournaments. On the Saturday there is no hierarchy with competing teams so anyone can end up playing anyone, which can make it enjoyable and amusing’, added Anderson.

Another striking feature is the associations that long-standing teams have with various bars/cafes around the red light district, acting as their ‘clubhouses’ for the duration of their visit. Needless to say the players and fans alike enjoy the P.A.R.T.Y we all know Amsterdam can provide for the rugby tourist.

So has such a good rugby ‘product’ directly on its doorstep had any effect on Dutch rugby? Former Netherlands skipper, Georges de Vries, believes that if it wasn’t for the Dutch authorities' lack of desire to embrace professionalism they would be in a similar spot to nations like Italy and Portugal.

‘Now the gap is almost too big to bridge. We used to easily beat teams such as Belgium and Germany but now we struggle as they have much better structures allowing younger players to come through.’

De Vries is also convinced that 7s is the ideal platform to promote and leverage the sport to the masses.

‘Sevens is very good for promoting the sport to people who don’t know it. It’s a very good form of the game for developing nations because it’s less technical’.

Olympic inclusion could give The Netherlands that little push to open its arms for the egg shaped game once and for all. Another interesting avenue which hasn’t realy been tapped into is the utilsation of expatriates - again following the Italian model which enjoys the services of Fijians and Kiwis - to add to the 7,000 players that are currently seen in the Dutch ranks.

But for now we concentrate on the Amsterdam Heineken International Rugby Sevens and it's time to bask in this European gem which seems to get the balance just right in their own inimitable Dutch manner - Veel geluk!