oct.18.2008

Australia stars Matt Giteau and Lote Tuqiri have joined the push for Rugby to rejoin the Olympic Games in 2016.

The pair, who played alongside another Wallaby Chris Latham for Australia Sevens at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, threw their support behind Rugby Sevens' Olympic push while speaking ahead of the Wallabies' upcoming Bledisloe Cup match in Hong Kong and ensuing tour of the northern hemisphere.

“You look at the Olympic Games as being the pinnacle of sport around the world,” said Giteau.

“For sports such as Athletics, Basketball, Gymnastics and Swimming, they all see the Games as their pinnacle, why not for Rugby Sevens? To be able to compete at an Olympics would be an amazing experience.”

The Wallabies are set to play a special test against the Barbarians at Wembley on 2 December to commemorate 100 years since Australia won Rugby Gold in the 1908 London Olympics and for Giteau and his team mates the occasion represents a golden opportunity to show their support of Rugby’s Olympic drive.

“For the Olympics you would see each country select their best players and it would be incredibly competitive. You could see eight countries really pushing for the gold, which would be awesome. If you look at most sports there are probably only two or three countries that are capable of achieving that.”

Giteau’s Wallaby team mate Lote Tuqiri also believes Rugby Sevens would be a perfect fit for the Games, bringing a young vibrant audience, an international flavour and a full stadium to the party.

“It would be sensational for Sevens to be in the Olympics. You just have to see how big the Games are to see that. The atmosphere at the Commonwealths was superb and to be able to mix with world class athletes from other sports at the Olympics would be special.”

“If Rugby got a chance then you will find that everyone will be putting their hands up for selection. Good luck to the IRB and the Unions around the world, we as players will be backing the campaign.”

It is not just the Rugby stars who are backing the Olympic campaign. Libby Trickett, the 100m butterfly gold medallist in Beijing also believes that Rugby Sevens could enhance the Olympic spectacle.

"It would be great (to have rugby at the Olympics), swimming obviously has a very proud history at the Olympics and rugby has such a great history in Australia," the five-time Olympic medallist said.

"I think it would be a great fit and it would be wonderful for them to represent their country at the Olympics."

Rugby will compete against baseball, golf, karate, roller sports, squash, and softball when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) votes in October next year on whether to add up to two sports to the Olympic schedule.