Olympic Games: New Zealand one of five sides to enjoy perfect records on Day One as Antoine Dupont’s France struggle
New Zealand went two from two on Day One while France laboured to a draw and victory.
New Zealand, Ireland, Australia, Argentina and Fiji secured back-to-back wins on day one of the men’s Rugby Sevens at the Olympic Games in Paris on Wednesday.
The former duo are set for a decider on Thursday to determine who finishes top of Pool A after they both saw off Japan and South Africa at the Stade de France.
In Pool B Australia and Argentina both overcame Samoa and Kenya which means they’re set for a similar face off tomorrow to see who tops the pile in their pool.
Elsewhere, Fiji were handsome winners against Uruguay and USA and with the latter drawing with host nation France, Fiji are sitting pretty at the Pool C summit.
France struggle
Indeed, it was not the day the home crowd were hoping for as World Rugby SVNS Grand Final champions France struggled in their clashes with USA and Uruguay.
Global superstar Antoine Dupont scored a try against Uruguay in their second game but they were made to sweat by the South Americans in the eventual 19-12 win.
Rugby at the Olympics: Failed bids, past winners and the sevens format
The action kicked off with Australia getting the better of Samoa 21-14 before World Rugby Sevens Series giants Argentina cruised to a 31-12 success against Kenya.
France, buoyed by their fans, then emerged for their opener against the USA but they could only secure a 12-12 draw before Fiji romped to a 40-12 win over Uruguay.
Ireland got their campaign off to a decent start as tries from Jordan Conroy and Terry Kennedy helped them to a 10-5 win over South Africa. The Irish made it two wins from two later on as they eased to a 40-5 triumph over Japan, with Kennedy, Chay Mullins, Harry McNulty, Niall Comerford, Mullins and Zac Ward all scoring.
🇮🇪🇳🇿 Two from two for New Zealand and Ireland on Day One!#RugbySevens #OlympicGames #Olympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/2QhmD3x3CH
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) July 24, 2024
As mentioned Ireland will meet New Zealand on Thursday at 16:30 local time in Paris to decide top spot, with eight teams qualifying for the Medal Quarter-Finals.
The knockout stages of the men’s competition will kick off on Thursday evening at the Stade de France before the final positions are decided on Saturday, July 27.
Then it will be the turn of the women’s Rugby Sevens which runs from Sunday, July 28 until Tuesday, July 30 as New Zealand look to defend their Olympic crown.
Record crowd
After a record crowd of 69,000 fans for a single day in rugby sevens history enjoyed day one of the men’s action, World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “We wanted to get the Games off to a spectacular start, but, wow, today was special. A single-day record crowd for rugby sevens, an incredible atmosphere, and of course, scintillating rugby. Sevens brought its A game, and the world was watching.
“I’d also like to pay tribute to the late Bernard Lapasset, who was instrumental in bringing rugby sevens to the Olympics and the Olympics to Paris. He would have loved today, and it was great to welcome his family here. I’m sure he was looking down on a packed Stade de France and smiling.”
Day One men’s Rugby Sevens results
Australia 21-14 Samoa
Argentina 31-12 Kenya
France 12-12 USA
Fiji 40-12 Uruguay
Ireland 10-5 South Africa
New Zealand 40-12 Japan
Australia 21-7 Kenya
Argentina 28-12 Samoa
France 19-12 Uruguay
Fiji 38-12 USA
Ireland 40-5 Japan
New Zealand 17-5 South Africa
