Olympic Rugby Sevens: Mike Friday lauds ‘amazing’ South Africa and ‘genius’ Antoine Dupont as France become ‘new favourites’ for Gold

And then there were four. After a thrilling quarter-final stage of the 2024 Olympic Rugby Sevens, South Africa, France, Australia and Fiji remain, with pre-tournament favourites Argentina and New Zealand crashing out alongside Ireland and the USA.

A disappointed Mike Friday joins Planet Rugby to give us his views on the day’s events in Paris.

Blitzbok brilliance

“Firstly, I have to shout out the amazing South Africans for yet again delivering the goods in a knockout rugby match,” he said.

“There’s something about the Bok psyche that simply allows them to dig deep within themselves to create a brilliant defensive display when the final stages of tournaments come around and last night was no exception.

“Led by the amazing Selvyn Davids, their ability to recycle themselves back into defensive situations and make New Zealand play another phase was mindboggling at times and that one set on their line when New Zealand seemed for all money to be scoring was an exceptional piece of dogged defence. It was sheer bloody-mindedness and demonstrated a huge desire to win from a side that really had no sense of form before the competition.

“Their ability to stay in the fight, force another phase then in turn another error was something like Custer’s Last Stand – thrilling, passionate and at times, simply unbelievable. With their transition game they’re going to be a tough side to beat, even given the fact they’ll face France, the hosts and a side in great form.

“I take my hat off to the Boks and especially Selvyn himself; they and he were absolutely magnificent last night and demonstrated a fortitude and will to win that was almost unreal.”

French recipe

“The atmosphere for the French game against Argentina was electric and the hosts looked a much better side on Thursday than they did on Wednesday,” Friday explained.

“A lot of this is down to bedding in selections and France have used their squad brilliantly. Dupont is the media talisman, but with Parez at half-back and the brilliant Aaron Grandidier on the wing, their starting team looked a lot more balanced, especially considering the impact that Antoine made when he came on. Using starters and finishers is as relevant in Sevens as it is in XVs and the way France, with the help of Dupont, managed their yellow card period showed immense maturity as a side.

Olympic Games: South Africa stun New Zealand while Antoine Dupont adds gloss to famous France win

“This is about picking the best team to control the early stages of the match, get on the board and then have the bench firepower to close out the match.

“This is evidenced by the manner Dupont comes up with that key play; it might not make the headlines but the dart up the side and the power to retain the ball in contact and force the penalty from him simply drained any hope from Los Pumas and showed his immense rugby IQ. A top notch play from a genius!

“It also says a lot about their confidence than when they won the penalty in the last moments, they tapped and went the length to rapturous applause rather than take the safety first option of booting to touch, and it’s that relationship with their home supporters that makes them the new favourites, in my opinion, although the Boks might have something to say about that on Saturday!”

Fiji fly

“You have to feel for Ireland. Sure, they’ll question what could have been a knock-on in the lead-up to the third Fijian try, but you have to move on mentally on the pitch and take control yourselves. Anyone who’s played the game knows that and they also know that focusing on one decision will not change the result,” said the USA head coach.

“Ireland were dogged and determined; Zac Ward would run through a wall if you asked him to and his shift in this match was exceptional, but Fiji have added real power and steel with the huge Joseva Talacolo up front and of course, that man Selestino Ravutaumada, one of the players of the tournament and another guy who’ll break down walls with his fists if you ask him to. Ravutaumada has really added a new dynamic to the Flying Fijians and his ability to take defenders out of the line with his power carries creates so much space for the others to orchestrate their magnificent handling and offloading once the initial dent has been made.

“A word too for the Fijian defence; they had Ireland going lateral and running power puff lines from deep at that extended period at the end. It was most un-Irish as usually they are very direct but the way Fiji held their shape left Ireland crabbing and running slow lines from way behind the gainline.

“It was a tight game – Ireland rely upon their ability to get the match close and to power on but this time it wasn’t to be. It’ll be brutal for them, but the way Fiji played perhaps a different style of game at the end demonstrated just how versatile and intelligent their players are.”

Aussies under radar

“Australia are a very rounded side who are flying under the radar a little. They’re very organised and super abrasive but if you give them the ball consistently, as we, the USA, managed to do, then I am afraid you are toast,” Friday said.

“The Aussies are balanced and full of street smarts; Dietrich Roach is a key man for them, a seasoned XVs player who moved into Sevens, he’s got power and great spatial awareness. He manipulates defences magnificently and we fell under his spell on a number of occasions. Nathan Lawson is another class operator who is a brilliant defensive organiser and Australia are a little like Ireland in terms of the way they take huge pride in their D and ability to stay in the fight.

🥇 The men's Medal Semi-Finals set to take place on Saturday!#RugbySevens #Olympics #OlympicGames #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/IAZO7FCKZh

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) July 25, 2024

“Nevertheless, we gifted them possession four times and I know our boys are devasted at the error count. They were silly, schoolboy mistakes and whilst we didn’t get the rub of the green on a couple of tight calls, we were undoubtedly masters of our own downfall and that hurts.

“Nevertheless, there’s a day off today, Friday, which is a little bizarre in Sevens as we’re used to going all the way through. We will play for 5th v 8th on Saturday when we face Ireland it what we know will be a serious physical battle, but one we’ll embrace. Today (Friday) will be about picking ourselves up and getting some light training and deeper thinking into a chance to finish 5th on Saturday and I know we’ll be giving it our best, especially as it’s likely to be the last time we see the great Perry Baker in a tournament of this magnitude.”

READ MORE: Olympic Rugby Sevens: All the men’s fixtures ahead of the final push for medals in Paris