Sevens Heaven
' What do you mean, you can't do the gardening ? You're watching what ? Women's rugby ? "
Now, I have to confess, I haven't done a lot of gardening in my time, nor I have watched an undue amount of women's rugby.
Last Saturday, all that changed. I got my hands dirty, for a while at any rate, before I got drawn into the World Cup Sevens from Dubai. Yes, you're right. It doesn't take too much to distract me.
I'd turned on the kitchen TV to try and catch England in the knockout stages. Too late. They'd already perished. No matter. There was plenty to savour, especially the women's rugby.
The final between New Zealand and Australia was as rich, competitive and thrilling a bit of rugby as I've seen this season. The Aussies came through, just, Shelly Matcham squeezing over at the death. The skill level was high, the tackling ferocious and the fitness levels amazing. And if all that sounds patronising, then that's a reflection of my ignorance.
The men's event threw up no end of surprises.
And if the IOC had any doubts about giving serious consideration to rugby's claims for the 2016 Olympiad, they should have all been eased by what was a terrific three days of sport.
Hats off to 'em all.
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