RIO DE JANEIRO ¨C World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont believes the Rio Olympic sevens tournament can be the catalyst for emerging nations to follow Japan¡¯s lead and embrace the sport of rugby.
Rugby makes its return to Olympic competition after a 92-year absence when the women¡¯s competition kicks off at Deodoro Stadium on Saturday, with the faster, more dynamic sevens format replacing the traditional 15-man game.
Japan has been riding a wave of public interest in rugby since the national team won three games at last year¡¯s World Cup in England, and Beaumont believes the excitement generated by the Olympic tournament can provide the spark for other nations to follow suit.
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