After years of preparation and months of simmering pleasure, the main lights of rugby sevens descend upon Paris for the Olympic Video games. Stade de France might be an excellent backdrop of color and noise, and ultimately, a champion might be topped. However who will stand atop the rostrum on Saturday, 27 July?
ARGENTINA
When you tried to cook dinner up the right rugby sevens crew in a laboratory, what brewed in your check tubes would look awfully like this Argentina squad. Los Pumas are a devilish mix of athleticism, energy and technical nous. On the HSBC SVNS Sequence, the Argentines are kings of the skies, plundering restarts, proudly owning the ball and, such is the significance of possession in sevens, the overwhelming majority of video games. They rampaged to the general league title this yr – at one level successful three tournaments on the spin – earlier than dropping a gripping Madrid grand ultimate to France. Empowered by truculent coach Santiago Gomez Cora, Argentina’s fire-and-brimstone ferocity is just too scorching for a lot of foes to deal with.
Behave Rodrigo Isgro 🤩
A elegant solo strive takes Argentina to the win 🇦🇷#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSMAD pic.twitter.com/X1A5g9gT86
— Rugby Sevens (@SVNSSeries) June 1, 2024
There are, although, a number of gnawing anxieties. World participant of the yr Rodrigo Isgro will miss all three pool matches as he serves a suspension for a harmful shot within the Madrid showpiece. Isgro has formally been chosen as a travelling reserve. Marcos Moneta sat out the ultimate three occasions with a damaged fibula and the way Los Pumas will yearn for his or her prolific flying machine to return in full sail. Argentina’s bronze medal in Tokyo sparked wild jubilation, however their programme has rocketed since and they’re going to have eyes just for gold.
Participant to observe: Marcos Moneta. Fascinating to see how ‘The Cash Man’ fares on his return to the large stage, significantly since he might be shorn of his chief supplier. So many Moneta scores are created by Isgro’s brilliance. Argentina have many different threats, after all, however Moneta might be pivotal.
AUSTRALIA
Little or no change within the Australian squad of the previous couple of years, with the notable omission of Michael Hooper, whose immense effort to unpick a lifetime’s value of XVs behaviour at all times appeared too nice an ask. The second coming of Mark Nawaqanitawase is a head-turner. Nawaqanitawase has been sought-after by a number of codes however the lure of the Olympics has saved him in union for no less than a number of extra weeks earlier than he joins the Sydney Roosters of the NRL. He has performed top-level sevens earlier than however he should hit the bottom working. Maurice Longbottom is again from harm and Dietrich Roache stays a category act.
Participant to observe: Maurice Longbottom. The ‘Wizard of Oz’ missed the Madrid denouement however will carry his field of methods to the French capital. The sevens universe has few wilier clients.
Like an eagle Longbottom spots the area from a mile off 🦅#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSHKG pic.twitter.com/yEAipiQo8K
— Rugby Sevens (@SVNSSeries) April 5, 2024
FIJI
A season of rancour and malcontent for the reigning champions, however they obtained their home with the intention to finish the marketing campaign in ominously good kind. Gold medallists in 2016 and 2021, Fiji covet this match above all else. The next energy appears to grip them when the Olympic torch glints on the horizon. They have been untouchable in Rio and unbreakable in Tokyo.
The Fijians have endured ugly issues of late. Ben Gollings was sacked as coach solely 4 months in the past. The England nice endured a really public fallout with Jerry Tuwai, a champion at each Video games and captain within the latter. Now, 2016 skipper Osea Kolinisau is in cost, and after a year-long absence, Tuwai returned to drag strings fantastically in Madrid and assist Fiji to bronze.
There’s stardust in all places you look, from Ponipate ‘Longstride’ Loganimasi to kicker supreme Iowane Teba and seasoned Waisea Nacuqu. Kolinisau has additionally introduced in XVs rapier Selestino Ravutaumada, who set the rugby world ablaze in 2023, from the Fijian Drua. The Olympics might be simply the coach’s third match on the helm, however that is Fiji and the Video games we’re speaking about. Count on the sensational.
Participant to observe: Terio Veilawa. Diminutive however lethal. To look at his easy, flowing motion and opulent array of abilities is to be transported again to the times of Waisale Serevi. Veilawa is Fiji’s metronome, typically referred to as upon from the bench to bamboozle ailing opponents. A participant of immaculate abilities cast in rugby heaven.
Goodbye 👋
World class from Terio Veilawa 🌍#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSDXB pic.twitter.com/9rgbmpKpla
— Rugby Sevens (@SVNSSeries) December 2, 2023
FRANCE
This was presupposed to be a yr of future for French rugby, with a house World Cup and a Paris Olympic Video games book-ending the season. Some say the nation continues to be in mourning after the Boks dumped the XVs boys out within the quarter-finals. Gold right here will surely salve some wounds. The French public stay in-thrall to Antoine Dupont, and The Nice One’s contact of genius impressed them to glory in Madrid. France are rather more than Dupont, although. Jefferson Joseph is a large menace; Stephen Parez a terrific creator, whereas Theo Forner and Rayyan Rebbadj are the tempo retailers.
Participant to observe: Antoine Dupont. Apparent, isn’t it? Your eyes can’t assist however be yanked in his route. Maybe no different participant may flit as seamlessly between two more and more divergent disciplines. One way or the other, Dupont is conditioned for the unrelenting bodily toil and fixed technical calls for of sevens and nonetheless make his affect inform. A lot of the huge French SVNS moments this yr have had Dupont at their core and he was deservedly named rookie of the yr.
ONE TO WATCH 🇫🇷
At #Paris2024, Antoine Dupont will undoubtedly push himself to the utmost in an effort to satisfy his formidable objectives.#Rugby7s pic.twitter.com/spYhHQWiEf
— Rugby Sevens (@SVNSSeries) July 5, 2024
IRELAND
Rewind to Monaco 2021 and the euphoria erupting throughout Stade Louis II, as Eire secured passage to their first Olympic Video games. Tokyo was not a classic match – a solitary pool stage win consigned them to the rankings play-offs – however Eire have constructed impressively since. Argentina pipped them to the league title by a paltry two factors this yr. In Terry Kennedy, they’ve the SVNS main strive scorer and former world participant of the yr. Gallus Jordan Conroy offers but extra fuel, Harry McNulty the scale and streetsmarts, and Hugo Lennox the orchestrating. Eire additionally boast a sure Hugo Keenan; the full-back was a sprightly sevens common lengthy earlier than changing into a Leinster Galactico and Grand Slam champion. He and Connacht’s muscular Andrew Smith have delivered clutch performs since switching again from XVs.
Participant to observe: Jordan Conroy. Loves the digital camera and the digital camera loves him. Beefed as much as nicely over 90KG nevertheless it hasn’t price him his trademark scorching pace. A quiet finish to the season certainly means an enormous Olympics is brewing for this box-office participant who revels within the highlight.
Jordan Conroy is just too clean 😮💨#Rugby7s pic.twitter.com/lBP38BSuvi
— Rugby Sevens (@SVNSSeries) July 10, 2024
JAPAN
Lifeless-last and relegated in 2023, and failing even to make the highest 4 of the Challenger Sequence this yr, Japan are rank outsiders. Coached by former England captain Simon Amor, the Courageous Blossoms wound up ninth in sevens’ second tier. Amor has acknowledged Japan should play a high-risk, high-octane model to face any likelihood of surprising the large boys in Paris. Velocity has at all times been on the coronary heart of Japanese rugby and Amor’s hope is the leisure issue endears them to a capability crowd. With South Africa of their pool, what likelihood a sequel to the 2015 Miracle of Brighton?
Participant to observe: Taiga Ishida. A quicksilver working menace able to finishing up Amor’s blueprint.
🇯🇵 Japan make their mark!
What an unbelievable chip and chase from Ishida!🔥#HSBC7s | #London7s pic.twitter.com/Bo84JgLYwm
— Rugby Sevens (@SVNSSeries) Might 21, 2023
KENYA
The Shujaa Pleasure’s promotion again to the SVNS Sequence after a punishing yr on the Challenger was some of the poignant moments of the season. Kenya have been desolate and ragged on the Twickenham pitch when Canada despatched them down final June. A few of their big-name gamers – few greater than Alvin ‘Buffa’ Otieno – appeared elsewhere for his or her rugby repair. Now they’ve come roaring again with the raucous and intrepid Kenyan followers behind them. Languid, flamboyant and downright harmful, they paint the sevens canvas with daubs of exuberant color. Kenya might be spearheaded by rugged co-captains Tony Omondi and Vince Onyala, with Brian Tanga working the cutter in midfield and Patrick Odongo racking up the tries on the sting. Kevin Wekesa and Herman Humwa are huge specimens with broad skillsets.
Participant to observe: John Okoth. Had an impressive Madrid competitors and embodies the whole lot which is nice about Kenyan rugby. An influence athlete with a V8 engine melded to comfortable arms and an agile mind.
Welcome again Kenya, we now have missed you 🤝#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSMAD pic.twitter.com/LUBesThaCh
— Rugby Sevens (@SVNSSeries) June 2, 2024
NEW ZEALAND
Of their first season because the departure of coach Clark Laidlaw, New Zealand carried out in matches and begins. There have been grim performances in Perth and Los Angeles, however titles in Hong Kong and Singapore, the ultimate two occasions earlier than Madrid, the place Argentina had their quantity within the semi-final.
Scott Curry and Regan Ware play at their third Video games, though 37-year-old sevens legend Tim Mikkelson makes the airplane solely as a travelling reserve having been sidelined with harm. Exuberant first-timers Leroy Carter, Tepaea Cook dinner-Savage and this yr’s breakthrough star, Fehi Fineanganofo, are highlight-reel machines.
Gold has eluded the All Black Sevens however they’re among the many main contenders to win the lot in Paris.
Participant to observe: Akuila Rokolisoa. New Zealand’s game-breaker. Previously a trainee electrician, the Fiji-born sorcerer appears to function on a special airplane to everybody else. The ft of a ballet dancer, pace of a fighter jet and sheer mastery of ball abilities. Simply as more likely to run 90m for a try-saving sort out as he’s to stroke house a touchline conversion.
“You open the door ever so barely and Rokolisoa will burst by way of all of it day lengthy” 💥#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSVAN | @nz_sevens https://t.co/AGLwknFdVr pic.twitter.com/BJjnRKzuNw
— Rugby Sevens (@SVNSSeries) February 25, 2024
SAMOA
This has been a brutal yr for Muliagatele Brian Lima and his prices. As soon as a powerhouse on the sevens circuit, they descended right into a barely recognisable gaggle by the Madrid finale. It was no shock to see an organised USA crew consign them to relegation and who is aware of what that would imply for the funding of their programme. Lima has been criticised for selecting too many overseas-based gamers reasonably than trusting on-island expertise. He has handled a considerable harm checklist and misplaced final yr’s report strive scorer Vaa Apelu Maliko to a extra profitable XVs contract in France. However on too many events, his crew lacked a discernible model or cohesion, and have been desperately wanting the attacking accuracy which characterised the nice Samoan sides of yesteryear.
Lima has a a lot stronger squad out there for Paris. Vaovasa Afa Su’a, Paul Scanlan and Tom Maiava are match once more. Alamanda Motuga is again from Moana Pasifika responsibility. It’s a tall order however that is Manu Samoa’s first Olympic look and solely a idiot would write off a nation with such satisfaction of their recreation, wealthy rugby affinity and capability for the extraordinary.
Participant to observe: Paul Scanlan. Apelu Maliko returned from France to play in Madrid, although couldn’t make a major impression. Taunu’u Nieulevaea is a mighty cog however with Samoa missing fluency and route, Scanlan’s efficiency might be essential.
Rugby on a special degree from this man 💯
Paul Scanlan discovered the road 9 instances for @manusamoa7s at #Canada7s #HSBC7s
— Rugby Sevens (@SVNSSeries) March 7, 2023
SOUTH AFRICA
The Blitzboks clinched the ultimate spot on the huge dance by sinking Nice Britain within the Monaco ultimate. South Africa have a sound sevens historical past, however the truth they have been within the repechage in any respect exhibits how little tangible success they’ve loved over the previous two years. Like Fiji, the Springbok Sevens modified their coach mid-season, with long-time assistant and former captain Philip Snyman succeeding Sandile Ngcobo. Christie Grobbelaar might be their metre-eater in shut quarters, with Quewin Nortje dazzling in his debut yr on the collection and veteran Rosko Specman nonetheless conjuring moments of Spec-magic eight years after his bronze medal in Rio.
Participant to observe: Quewin Nortje. Effectively within the combine for a rookie of the season award, Nortje was South Africa’s main scorer with 18 in 30 matches. The 21-year-old has all of the instruments to turn out to be an enormous of the game.
“Right here’s the chance for the flying machine” ⚡
Nortje scores @Blitzboks second 👏#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSMAD pic.twitter.com/FmWbeGKIjN
— Rugby Sevens (@SVNSSeries) June 1, 2024
URUGUAY
One of many nice success tales in a quickly creating South American market. Los Teros gained admirers on the Rugby World Cup, however their sevens crew has been quietly motoring for a number of years. A settled squad, they gained core nation SVNS standing in 2022, misplaced it within the London play-off final June, earlier than swiftly claiming it again because the Challenger Sequence’ prime canines. They have been simply the most effective crew in that occasion and proved it again and again.
Uruguay have been drawn in a grim pool containing Fiji, France and USA, however Diego Ardao’s troops are completely able to upsetting the chances on their Olympic debut.
Participant to observe: Baltazar Amaya. Missed the Madrid play-off with a smashed face, however might be combating slot in France. A star of the XVs and sevens sides.
Uruguay know tips on how to have a good time a win 🕺
Holding the jersey of teammate Baltazar Amaya, who picked up an harm on day one, as they do it 🥺#7sChallengerSeries pic.twitter.com/cj2Hylfhs1
— Rugby Sevens (@SVNSSeries) Might 19, 2024
USA
An underwhelming yr, albeit relegation by no means felt doubtless even when dealing with a Madrid shootout. USA have been punted into the underside 4 by Nice Britain’s exceptional heroics in Singapore, however a collection of below-par performances had already sown the seeds. Can they arrive on the Olympic social gathering? Mike ‘Geezer’ Friday is one in every of world rugby’s most revered and skilled sevens minds and can have his troops revving. And this might be iconic Perry Baker’s final shot at a medal a month on from his 38th birthday. Baker could also be practically 40, but he nonetheless has the devastating pace to slice defences asunder.
Participant to observe: Malacchi Esdale. A thoroughbred athlete and constant try-scoring performer for USA. Was a travelling reserve in Tokyo however might be a significant participant this time round.
The step 🤝 The tempo
A deadly mixture from Esdale 🔥#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSMAD | @USARugby pic.twitter.com/WTCZNkhSeW
— Rugby Sevens (@SVNSSeries) June 1, 2024
