Antoine Dupont, Hugo Keenan and the other rugby stars pushing for Olympic Gold in Paris

Dylan Coetzee
Split with Fijian Iosefo Masi, France Antoine Dupont and Ireland's Hugo Keenan.

Split with Fijian Iosefo Masi, France Antoine Dupont and Ireland's Hugo Keenan.

The lure of Sevens rugby has dramatically increased since the sport was added to the Olympics, leaving some of the world’s best 15s stars tempted by the faster and shorter format of the game.

With that in mind, we take a look at some of the players who are making the switch in the quest for Olympic glory.

Antoine Dupont

The highest of high-profiles in rugby at the moment. Dupont has been switching effortlessly between 15s and sevens this season as he helped France to their first title on the circuit in over 20 years earlier in the season, only to have his hand in the sides win of the finale in Madrid to finish as winners of the overall title.

Since then, he has switched back to the full format and led Toulouse to a Champions Cup title with a man-of-the-match performance in the final before powering them to the double with the Top14 title.

Dupont’s influence in sevens is absolutely huge and it would be some story if he goes on to win Olympic gold in the Stade de France in July.

Hugo Keenan

It is a full circle moment for the Irishman who confirmed he would be making the switch back to sevens in a bid to push for his own Olympic glory. Keenan spent two years with the national sevens side between 2017-2019 before turning to 15s where he has become one of the best full-backs in the world. His participation in sevens comes at the cost of missing a two-Test series against the Springboks.

Keenan’s all-around skill-set is what put him in that bracket and seems to have adjusted just fine to the rigours of the faster format. He may have missed out on an epic Test series against the Springboks, but it all could be worth it if he gets an Olympic medal.

Mark Nawaqanitawase

The speedster is set to make the switch to the Sydney Roosters next year in rugby league but was offered the chance to play for his country at the Olympics.

Nawaqanitawase is an excellent runner of the ball and has no issues beating defenders which will make him a big threat at the tournament.

Corey Toole

The lightning-fast wing has spent some time in the Sevens set-up before in the 2021-2022 season before he made the switch to the Brumbies in the 15s game.

It is no surprise he was asked to join up with the side for the Olympics given his form in Super Rugby Pacific where he cut open defences all season long and showed a remarkable ability to finish tries. Above all Toole is absolutely rapid and that will count in Paris.

USA are still Olympic rugby champions and have been for a century

Iosefo Masi

The Fijian beat the most defenders in Super Rugby Pacific this season underlining just how evasive of runner he is and also how important he will be for Fiji.

Like a lot of Fijian stars in 15s, Masi has had his time in Sevens where he won Olympic Gold in Tokyo in 2020 and the Rugby World Cup Sevens title in 2022. No doubt he will be desperate to help his side to their third consecutive Gold medal.

Selestino Ravutaumada

Another powerful and fast Fijian makes the switch. Ravutaumada has developed massively over the last couple of seasons to the point where there is always a sense of anticipation when he gets the ball.

His ability to beat players and link up with teammates makes him a dangerous player for the Fijian side in Paris.

Alamanda Motuga

The Samoan based with Moana Pasifika is vastly experienced in Sevens with over 30 tournaments played on the series.

He will be looking to help power his side to a medal spot in Paris.

Uruguayan quartet

Baltazar Amaya, Felipe Arcos Pérez, Bautista Basso and Ignacio Facciolo all fall into the same bracket of players who have represented their country in both formats and will be hoping to find some magic at the Olympics.

READ MORE: Rugby at the Olympics: Failed bids, past winners and the sevens format