World Rugby is reportedly facing rebellion among its world series sevens teams after drastic changes to tournament formats.

According to Stuff.co.nz, the men's teams are unhappy with losing the quarter-finals from the looming tournaments in Hamilton and Sydney.

They fear it will affect their Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualification hopes and there are suggestions they could take their concerns to the International Court of Sport Arbitration.

The first two legs of the 2019-20 world series in Dubai and Cape Town were played over three days with both men's and women's teams involved.

But the next two events, also involving men's and women's teams, will see the tournaments streamlined to two days.

That sees the men's quarterfinals dropped in a cut-throat system that has the four group winners advance directly to the semifinals with the second-placed teams dropping out of the running for the cup.

Winners of the three women's pools will be joined by the best second-placed team in the final four.

One international sevens coach told a South African newspaper that players and coaches are angry adding not only do the changes negatively affect the draw for the Olympics, but it also jeopardises the integrity of the game and the enjoyment of playing.

The Coach says the International Rugby Players Association is aware of the dissatisfaction.

[Source:Stuff.co]

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