Henry Hutchison: Ultimate Sevens can bring a new generation to rugby as Pacific Current eye London Finals

The inaugural tournament brought together six brand-new franchises, with a host of the world's leading sevens players experiencing a radically different format for the first time.

There were no half-times, seven-point tries if scored under the posts, time-outs and varied conversion zones, while the rapid turnaround between matches provided another major challenge for the players.

While Hutchison admitted the format was tough to navigate on the field, he believed Ultimate Sevens had a hugely promising future. “Definitely a reset, something new,” Hutchison said after the opening weekend in Cardiff. “Chaotic behind the scenes, chaotic on the field, but I think it’s good chaos.

“I think it’s really digestible and easy to view for the viewers. Simple for the viewers. Hard for the players. It’s going to be a big challenge, I reckon. But yeah, I think I see a massive future for Ultimate Sevens.”

Two weeks on, and Hutchison's belief in the concept has only strengthened. The competition has now passed through Biarritz, where Pacific Current reached the men's final before being beaten 13-0 by Albion Athletic.

For Albion, it represented an impressive response after they had been eliminated in the opening round in Cardiff. They beat Sol Feroz 20-12 before sweeping past Clan Taran 21-5 in the semi-final.

Pacific Current had meanwhile defeated Foudre Bleue 14-7 and Sol Feroz 17-13 to reach the final, but were unable to break down an Albion defence which produced its strongest performance of the tournament.

The result means Hutchison and Pacific Current arrive in London looking to finish the inaugural championship on a high, but the Australian is increasingly interested in what Ultimate Sevens can offer beyond the results.

The biggest adjustment for the players in Cardiff was the relentless turnaround between matches.

With games capable of running beyond the scheduled 10 minutes when Golden Point was required, players could find themselves back on the pitch almost immediately after an exhausting contest.

Pacific Current experienced that first-hand in their opening match against Sol Feroz. The Pacific Island-inspired side fell 12-0 behind before fighting back to level the contest, eventually securing a 17-12 Golden Point victory through James Turner.

Hutchison admitted the physical and mental demands of that quick succession of matches were unlike anything the players had experienced before.

“Definitely the turnarounds. They’re so fast,” he said. “I think our first game nearly went to 20 minutes, went well into overtime, and you basically just keep your boots on and get back out there.

“So it’s like playing under-12s again. That’s hard. That’s hard on the mind, hard on the body, and everyone’s in that boat. So yeah, the quick turnarounds are tough for the players, but awesome for the viewers.”

That intensity has remained one of Ultimate Sevens' defining characteristics through the opening two events. For Hutchison, that is part of the appeal.

“It’s so fast, it’s so quick,” he said ahead of the London finale. “You play the game, you come back in and you’re told that you’re going back out to warm up in 15 minutes!

“As a viewer, you’re not waiting around to see the players you’ve come to watch. If you’re coming to watch a specific player, they can play several games within a few hours. It’s people seeing what they want to see.”

The demands of the format were compounded by the fact that the franchises were being built from scratch. The Pacific Current squad represented New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands, but had only a short period together before arriving in Cardiff.

Hutchison believed that lack of continuity ultimately played a role in their semi-final defeat. The French side, he felt, were better able to operate collectively when the pressure increased.

“It’s interesting. These tournaments are all about continuity and gelling as a team,” Hutchison said. “The French team that we played in the semi, they were a very good team.

“They worked well as a unit, probably isolated us, and we fell into individualistic plays, and they ended up coming away with the cookies in overtime.”

By Biarritz, Pacific Current had clearly found another gear, progressing through to the men's final before Albion Athletic proved too strong.

Now they head to London with another opportunity to test themselves against a field packed with international talent. For Hutchison, that is one of the most exciting aspects of the competition.

“The best Sevens players in the world are all here in London right now,” he said.

“From our team, George Bosset from Fiji is an absolute handful. Selwyn Davids from South Africa is playing in the Clan team. Lucio Gonzalez in the Sol Feroz team. That’s just naming a few. Maurice Longbottom at Atlantic, he’s been lighting it up. Naduvalo at Albion. There’s heaps.”

Despite the disappointment of falling short in Cardiff, Hutchison was proud to be part of the first Pacific Current side.

The franchise is intended to represent the wider Pacific region, despite not every player in the squad coming from there. Hutchison believes developing genuine tribalism around the franchises will take time, particularly given this is a completely new competition.

“I think that’ll take time,” he said. “We talked about the importance of actually representing the Pacific, even though not all players in the team are from the region. “We’re the first Pacific rugby sevens ultimate team, and you can’t take that lightly.”

That regional identity was also evident with Clan Taran, who quickly found themselves backed by a passionate Cardiff crowd before going on to win the men's title. Biarritz then provided another example of how quickly the landscape can change, albeit without the French outfit of Foudre Bleue taking the rewards. Instead, Albion Athletic bounced back from the Cardiff disappointment to lift the men's trophy.

Now London brings the six franchises together for the final event of the inaugural championship.

And Hutchison believes the sport has an opportunity to create something genuinely different.

The Australian sees parallels between Ultimate Sevens and other sports that have attempted to create shorter, more accessible formats.

“I’m Australian and a cricket fan and I can see the comparisons being made here to the Hundred,” he said.

“Similar to in athletics where they are trying to innovate. We are doing the same. We’re trying to get that traditional Sevens game which is so loved by so many - usually from purists, rugby purists - and tightening it up, packaging it into something that is easy to learn, easy to view, digestible.

“And I think that’s the way to engage with the new, younger audiences.”

For Hutchison, the attraction is not about replacing traditional rugby or sevens, but offering another way for people to consume the sport.

“I've really enjoyed the innovation, it’s something new. I think rugby is screaming for a new product to captivate new audiences, younger audiences, short attention spans. It’s action all packed into a few hours.

“Sometimes committing yourself to a full weekend can be tough whereas Ultimate Sevens fixes that issue.”

That philosophy will be on show in London, with 180 players descending on Gtech Community Stadium for the final event of the championship.

“There’s 180 talented rugby players playing in a short few hours on Thursday night,” Hutchison said. “I think it’ll be a lot of fun to be watching.”

The setting itself adds another dimension. Ultimate Sevens' Grand Final takes place at the Gtech Community Stadium, the former home of London Irish and current stomping grounds of Brentford Football Club. The action begins on Thursday, September 24, moving the competition onto a major sporting stage in one of the world's most international cities.

“We’re used to it, travelling around together, it’s our normal - but from an outsider’s point of view it’s super-unique,” Hutchison said.

“It’s a great venue. I’ve heard what it’s like pitch wise - and it’ll be nice to be back on grass after playing on 4G. That’s going to help the calves!

“We’re in a place where people go to obsess over sport. If we can get a little foothold into that culture here in London every year, I think it will be great for the sport.”

For Hutchison, there is also a personal element to bringing Ultimate Sevens to London.

“London’s a melting pot of so many cultures. To have us playing in London is really important. I have Australian family here in London so it’s nice that they come to watch me for the first time in the year.

“It’s always nice to play in front of family when it’s in their back garden!”

And if the Cardiff and Biarritz events are anything to go by, Hutchison expects the atmosphere to have a significant impact on the players.

“It’s a massive mood booster to play in front of crowds. We like pressure, we like noise.

“It’s like you can grow an extra leg when you have the crowd behind you or against you. As players, as entertainers, we love that.”

For Pacific Current, there is still the small matter of finishing the championship with a trophy. But for Hutchison, the bigger picture is becoming increasingly clear.

Ultimate Sevens has spent its first two events testing a new format, challenging players to adapt and giving fans something different from traditional sevens.

Cardiff showed the potential. Biarritz demonstrated the competitive intensity. Now London provides the stage for the finale. And Hutchison believes the experiment is already proving worthwhile.