Scott Curry on India’s Rugby Premier League: ‘This is the future of sevens’

Scott Curry has been at the forefront of international sevens rugby for over a decade.

The former All Blacks Sevens captain, Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Olympic silver medallist is no stranger to the biggest stages in the sport.

However, his latest venture leading a team in the inaugural India Rugby Premier League (RPL) has offered him something completely new.

Speaking to RugbyPass, Curry shared insights on the experience of captaining in a format that blends global stars with local talent in one of the sport’s most ambitious expansions to date.

“It’s similar in many ways to previous captaining, but the biggest difference is that you’re managing local talent alongside some of the best players in the world.

“The challenge is blending everyone together, getting everyone on the same page, and bringing out the best in each player.

“In that sense, it’s not too different from leading a national team – we were all just working to get strong team performances out on the field.”

An exciting new format

The RPL’s format, one game per night over a fortnight is intense and Curry admitted it’s as much a mental battle as a physical one.

“In terms of preparation the biggest difference there is the format, we played one game each night over two weeks.

“That changes everything. Most of the day is spent recovering from the night before and getting the body ready to go again.

“Physically it actually went pretty well; the body was holding up. But the real challenge is mental – staying focused and getting yourself up for a game every single night is tough.”

Yet for all the fatigue the format has brought a fresh energy to sevens rugby offering nightly entertainment in a fast-paced, four-quarter setup that has intrigued both fans and players alike.

Growing the game in a new market

At its core the RPL isn’t just about elite competition, it’s about grassroots growth and unlocking rugby’s potential in India.

“I think the biggest impact the RPL can have is helping to grow the game in India. If people are watching at home and being introduced to rugby for the first time that’s huge for grassroots development and getting more people involved.

“India is a massive market and if the league can build a following it will benefit both the grassroots and the elite level.

“Their top players are here learning and mixing with some of the best in the world and that experience will definitely help them improve and reach their goals.”

With Indian players rubbing shoulders with global talent players like Spain’s Pol Pla and Fiji’s Iowane Teba, the developmental opportunities are clear.

Curry details that the league’s design hasn’t really been done before. International franchise vision Curry spoke highly of the cross-cultural environment within the franchises, particularly praising Spain’s national coach Paco Hernández, who is also involved in the RPL.

“Working alongside other coaches and players has been awesome. In our team, we’ve got Paco, the Spanish coach – he’s been great.

“It’s been really interesting to see his perspective on the game and how he approaches things. He’s a top quality coach.

“We’ve also got Pol Pla from Spain who’s one of the best players in the world right now, and Unani Timba from Fiji.

“I’ve really enjoyed mixing with the boys from Spain and Fiji, seeing how they play, learning from each other and using our different strengths to put together some strong performances.”

“We’re all in a similar situation here, so there’s a real sense of connection across the franchises.” It’s not just the on-field mix that’s new, it’s the league’s franchise model that sets it apart.

“What sets the RPL apart is that it’s the first major franchise league in sevens to bring in international players on this scale.

“You’re seeing some of the best players from around the world coming here to play, and that hasn’t really been done before, at least not in this kind of privately owned, franchise format where teams actually pay their players.

“That’s the biggest difference. Being the first of its kind is a great opportunity and there’s a real chance for it to grow from strength to strength.

“It’s a long-term project and all the franchises have committed to multi-year deals, which is really exciting.”

Looking ahead:

Sevens’ new venture Curry, now 37, knows his playing days are numbered.

But he’s confident in the role these types of leagues will play in the sport’s evolution and he’s keen to be involved in whatever comes next.

“The format has been exciting – playing one game a night with four quarters is quite innovative and it’s actually worked really well.

It brought a new energy to the tournament.

“I’m definitely keen to stay involved with the RPL in the future though probably not as a player. I’m 37 now and squeezing every last bit out of my playing career.

“If there are opportunities to come back in a coaching or mentoring role, I’d absolutely be open to that. He hinted that more franchise style sevens leagues are set to launch soon and he believes they represent the sport’s future.

“There are also some other exciting franchise leagues being planned in the sevens world, potentially launching next year, so watch this space.

“I really believe the future of sevens lies in the private ownership model. Franchises contracting players for shorter stints, while still allowing space for international windows so players can represent their countries.

“The sevens landscape is going to shift a lot in the next year or two and it’s an exciting time to be part of that change.”

Scott Curry’s involvement in the RPL signals a shift in sevens rugby. With a proven leader helping usher in a new era of privately backed, globally inclusive competition, the future of the sport might just be taking shape in India.