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Wed, Jul 24, 2024, 6:18 AM
Rugby Australia
Australia's Rugby Sevens Men's team will launch the country's Paris campaign tonight as the first Australian side to compete at the 2024 Olympic Games.
The Aussie Men are one of several teams who will be in action before the official opening ceremony on Saturday to accommodate scheduling.
Captain Nick Malouf will lead the Aussies against Samoa in the side's first match of Pool B at 11:30pm AEST on Wednesday night, shown live on Channel Nine and Stan Sport.
Australia then takes on Kenya at 3:00am AEST on Thursday morning, followed by a match against Argentina at 10:30pm AEST the following evening.
John Manenti's side are chasing their first medal at an Olympic Games after Quarter-Final finishes in 2016 and 2021.
Australia Men’s Sevens coach John Manenti said: "We’ve prepared really well over here in France and the boys are ready to play.
“We just had a stunning jersey presentation at the Australian Embassy overlooking Eiffel Tower with the players’ loved ones and special guest, Sports Minister Anika Wells.
“We kick off the Australian Olympic Teams Paris campaign and are ready for the challenge. This will be an extremely competitive field but we’re up for it.
“We’re all thrilled the wait is over and it’s time to play.”
Australia's champion Women’s Sevens side arrived in the Olympic village this week ahead of their campaign getting underway at 12:00am AEST on Monday, July 29 against South Africa. The Aussies are chasing their second medal after claiming gold at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Australia Women's Sevens coach Tim Walsh said: "Our entry into the village has been seamless, thanks to the Australia Olympic Committee team.
"The Montpellier training camp delivered to expectation and the time to perform is approaching.
"Time isn’t of the essence because we feel ready and confident in our preparation with the task now for each of us to do our job with consistency and purpose.
"Staying disciplined on and off the field from here on in will ensure our physical and mental weapons are sharp and we are ready to strike for Australia."
Watch the Aussie Rugby Sevens sides chase glory at the Paris Olympic Games live on Channel Nine and Stan Sport from July 24.
MEN'S RUGBY SEVENS FIXTURES - POOL B
Wednesday, July 24: Australia v Samoa (11:30pm AEST)
Thursday, July 25: Australia v Kenya (3:00am AEST)
Thursday, July 25: Australia v Argentina (10:30pm AEST)
WOMEN'S RUGBY SEVENS FIXTURES - POOL B
Monday, July 29: Australia v South Africa (12:00am AEST)
Monday, July 29: Australia v Great Britain (3:30am AEST)
Monday, July 29: Australia v Ireland (10:30pm AEST)
AUSTRALIA'S PARIS OLYMPICS RUGBY SEVENS TEAMS MEN'S
1. Henry Hutchison
2. Ben Dowling
3. Corey Toole
4. Dietrich Roache
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Henry Paterson
7. Hayden Sargeant
8. James Turner
9. Matt Gonzalez
10. Nick Malouf (c)
11. Maurice Longbottom
12. Nathan Lawson
Reserves: Michael Icely and Josh Turner
WOMEN'S
1. Bienne Terita
2. Sharni Smale
3. Faith Nathan
4. Dominique Du Toit
5. Teagan Levi
6. Sariah Paki
7. Charlotte Caslick (c)
8. Kaitlin Shave
9. Tia Hinds
10. Isabella Nasser
11. Maddison Levi
12. Bridget Clark
Reserves: Kahli Henwood and Sidney Taylor
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/rugby-...onight-2024723
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Rugby Sevens OIympic Games Paris 2024: How to Watch, Schedule and more
Wed, Jul 24, 2024, 6:21 AM
Nathan Williamson
The Rugby Sevens is set to get underway at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games from July 24.
Australia has two genuine gold-medal chances as both sides enter with plenty of expectations after strong world series campaigns.
Watch every Rugby Sevens match from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games ad-free, live and on demand in 4K on Stan Sport and live on Nine and 9Now.
The men will kick off the tournament two days before the Olympic ceremony, with Australia featuring in the opening game against Samoa on July 24 (11:30 pm).
The finals will be held on July 28 as John Manenti's side hunt for their first medal, with the women kicking off the following day.
The women's finals will be held on July 31, with Australia one of the teams to beat after the SVNS title.
WHEN DO AUSTRALIA PLAY IN THE RUGBY SEVENS OLYMPIC GAMES?
The Men's Sevens side will take the field in their opening Olympic game against Samoa on July 24 (11:30 pm) at Stade de France.
This will be followed by a clash with Kenya (3:00 am) before taking on Argentina (July 25, 10:30 pm)
As for the Women, they open their campaign against South Africa on July 29 (midnight).
They face Great Britain (3:30 am) and Ireland (10:30 pm) to finish their pool stages.
WHAT CHANNEL IS AUSTRALIA'S RUGBY SEVENS OLYMPIC GAMES ON?
Australia's Rugby Sevens campaign will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport and the Nine Network.
Every Rugby Sevens match from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be shown ad-free, live and on-demand in 4K on Stan Sport.
Along with this, the Nine Network will have two dedicated free-to-air channels that will show several Olympic sports, including the Rugby Sevens, along with on 9Now
HOW TO WATCH THE PARIS OLYMPICS RUGBY SEVENS?
The Nine Network and Stan Sport has exclusive rights to broadcast every event of the Paris Olympics in Australia.
Every Rugby Sevens match from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be shown ad-free, live and on-demand in 4K on Stan Sport.
Along with this, the Nine Network will have two dedicated free-to-air channels that will show several Olympic sports, including the Rugby Sevens, along with on 9Now.
AUSTRALIA'S PARIS OLYMPICS RUGBY SEVENS TEAMS
MEN'S
1. Henry Hutchison
2. Ben Dowling
3. Corey Toole
4. Dietrich Roache
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Henry Paterson
7. Hayden Sargeant
8. James Turner
9. Matt Gonzalez
10. Nick Malouf (c)
11. Maurice Longbottom
12. Nathan Lawson
Reserves: Michael Icely and Josh Turner
WOMEN'S
1. Bienne Terita
2. Sharni Smale
3. Faith Nathan
4. Dominique Du Toit
5. Teagan Levi
6. Sariah Paki
7. Charlotte Caslick (c)
8. Kaitlin Shave
9. Tia Hinds
10. Isabella Nasser
11. Maddison Levi
12. Bridget Clark
Reserves: Kahli Henwood and Sidney Taylor
RUGBY SEVENS PARIS OLYMPIC SCHEDULE
*All games AEST and held at Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Men's Rugby Sevens Fixtures
POOL STAGES
Wednesday July 24
Pool B: Australia v Samoa, 11:30 pm
Thursday July 25
Pool B: Argentina v Kenya, 12:00 am
Pool C: France v USA, 12:30 am
Pool C: Fiji v Uruguay, 1:00 am
Pool A: Ireland v South Africa, 1:30 am
Pool A: New Zealand v Japan, 2:00 am
Pool B: Australia v Kenya, 3:00 am
Pool B: Argentina v Samoa, 3:30 am
Pool C: France v Uruguay, 4:00 am
Pool C: Fiji v USA, 4:30 am
Pool A: Ireland v Japan, 5:00 am
Pool A: New Zealand v South Africa, 5:30 am
Pool B: Samoa v Kenya, 10:00 pm
Pool B: Argentina v Australia, 10:30 pm
Pool C: USA v Uruguay, 11:00 pm
Pool C: Fiji v France, 11:30 pm
Friday July 26
Pool A: South Africa v Japan, 12:00 am
Pool A: New Zealand v Ireland, 12:30 am
Play Video
A clutch finish from Nick Malouf wins it in extra-time of the SVNS Singapore quarter-final
QUARTER-FINALS
9th Place Semi Final: 9th Place v 12th Place, 4:00 am
9th Place Semi Final: 10th Place v 11th Place, 4:30 am
Quarter Final One: First Place Pool A v Second Best Third Place, 5:00 am
Quarter Final Two: Second Place Pool C v Second Place Pool B, 5:30 am
Quarter Final Three: First Place Pool C v Second Place Pool A, 6:00 am
Quarter Final Four: First Place Pool B v Best Third Place, 6:30 am
SEMI FINALS
Saturday July 27
Fifth Place Semi Final: Loser Quarter Final One v Loser Quarter Two, 10:30 pm
Fifth Place Semi Final: Loser Quarter Final Three v Loser Quarter Four, 11:00 pm
Semi Final One: Winner Quarter Final One v Winner Quarter Final Two, 11:30 pm
Sunday July 28
Semi Final Two: Winner Quarter Final Three v Winner Quarter Final Four, 12:00 pm
FINALS
11th Place Playoff - 12:30 am
9th Place Playoff - 1:00 am
7th Place Playoff - 2:00 am
5th Place Playoff - 2:30 am
Bronze Medal Match - 3:00 am
Gold Medal Match - 3:45 am
Play Video
Nathan Lawson draws first blood in the quarter-final of SVNS Hong Kong 2024
Women's Rugby Sevens Fixtures
Sunday July 28
POOL STAGES
Pool B: Ireland v Great Britain, 11:30 pm
Monday July 29
Pool B: Australia v South Africa, 12:00 am
Pool C: USA v Japan, 12:30 am
Pool C: France v Brazil, 1:00 am
Pool A: Fiji v Canada, 1:30 am
Pool A: New Zealand v China, 2:00 am
Pool B: Ireland v South Africa, 3:00 am
Pool B: Australia v Great Britain, 3:30 am
Pool C: USA v Brazil, 4:00 am
Pool C: France v Japan, 4:30 am
Pool A: Fiji v China, 5:00 am
Pool A: New Zealand v Canada, 5:30 am
Pool B: Great Britain v South Africa, 10:00 pm
Pool B: Australia v Ireland, 10:30 pm
Pool C: Japan v Brazil, 11:00 pm
Pool C: France v USA, 11:30 pm
Tuesday July 30
Pool A: Canada v China, 12:00 am
Pool A: New Zealand v Fiji, 12:30 am
Play Video
Tia Hinds converts after the buzzer to deliver a Grand Final spot at SVNS Madrid
QUARTER-FINALS
9th Place Semi Final: 9th Place v 12th Place, 4:00 am
9th Place Semi Final: 10th Place v 11th Place, 4:30 am
Quarter Final One: First Place Pool A v Second Best Third Place, 5:00 am
Quarter Final Two: Second Place Pool C v Second Place Pool B, 5:30 am
Quarter Final Three: First Place Pool C v Second Place Pool A, 6:00 am
Quarter Final Four: First Place Pool B v Best Third Place, 6:30 am
SEMI FINALS
Fifth Place Semi Final: Loser Quarter Final One v Loser Quarter Two, 10:30 pm
Fifth Place Semi Final: Loser Quarter Final Three v Loser Quarter Four, 11:00 pm
Semi Final One: Winner Quarter Final One v Winner Quarter Final Two, 11:30 pm
Wednesday July 31
Semi Final Two: Winner Quarter Final Three v Winner Quarter Final Four, 12:00 pm
FINALS
11th Place Playoff - 12:30 am
9th Place Playoff - 1:00 am
7th Place Playoff - 2:00 am
5th Place Playoff - 2:30 am
Bronze Medal Match - 3:00 am
Gold Medal Match - 3:45 am
RUGBY SEVENS RULES AND TOURNAMENT FORMAT
With Rugby Sevens still a relatively new sport in the Olympic calendar, here is everything you need to know about the fast-growing sport.
Teams have been drawn into three pools of four, with the top two nations automatically qualifying for the quarter-finals.
They will be joined in the finals by the two-highest third-place finishes from the group stages.
The format has significant changes from the 15-a-side format, which includes:
7 players per team on the field
Five substitutes, with five interchanges
Seven-minute halves
Maximum of two minutes half-time
Matches drawn after regulation in finals are continued into golden point and extra in multiple 5-minute periods.
All conversion attempts must be drop-kicked and taken within 30 seconds instead of having the option to place-kick
Three player scrums instead of the regular eight.
Kick-offs: in sevens, the team which has just scored kicks off, rather than the conceding team.
Players who receive a yellow card will be sidelined for only two minutes
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/rugby-...-teams-2024722
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Faith Nathan and Matt Gonzalez: Tacking the Olympics together in the city of love
Wed, Jul 24, 2024, 8:43 AM
Nathan Williamson
Faith Nathan and Matt Gonzalez know they don't have to look far for support when a hostile crowd awaits the Australia Sevens at the Stade de France.
The pair of Sevens superstars are preparing to take on the best of the world together as a couple at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Watch every Rugby Sevens match from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games ad-free, live and on demand in 4K on Stan Sport and live on Nine and 9Now.
The two have been inseparable throughout the SVNS world series as Gonzalez worked his way to his first Olympic selection.
“This is my first Olympics so it might be different for 'Faithy' but I’m really proud for both of us to be selected for this team and I couldn’t ask for a better partner by my side to go through this journey with," Gonzalez told Rugby.com.au
“It’s pretty special to have family and friends come over and support us," Nathan added.
“In Tokyo, we didn’t really get that because we were playing in a ground with no one there so it’ll be awesome to have people over there to support us along with Matt in the village as well.”
Nathan and Gonzalez were reunited in the Olympic village just 24 hours before the men open their Olympics, with the men based in Tours (two hours south of Paris) whilst the women were situated at the other end of France in Montpellier.
“We’ll be in slightly different schedules playing before the girls so there will be a lot going on but I think we’ve been pretty lucky to share a fair few (world series) tournaments together," Gonzalez said.
“We make time for each other at the end of the day and it’ll just be about doing that and if we can’t see each other we know we have the complete and utter support of one another.
“We’re in there together at the same time before we play and stay a couple days after but we’ll make it work and we’ll see each other which is really cool
“It’s really important to have that full understanding of what’s going on and we’re excited about doing it together.”
Injury has been a central part of the couple's season, with Gonzalez crediting Nathan's support for getting back from an elbow injury suffered in April that threathened to end his Olympic campaign.
“At first when the injury happened I was in a bit of a hole and I was fortunate Faithy was able to guide me through it," he said.
“She was saying to not think about what’s happening, reassuring me we’ll get through this.
“Getting selected for an Olympics is an absolute dream and the injury is now on the behind so we can focus on what’s ahead.”
For Nathan, it was focused on the mental anguish of seeing several of her 'sisters' pick up Olympic-ending injuries, especially best mate Madison Ashby, who suffered an ACL injury.
"I think when all the girls got injured, it hit me really hard because Matt and I have grown up with Madi and we’ve known her for a long time," Nathan said.
“Matt was there supporting me and making sure I was ok every day, telling me it’s okay not to be okay so we’ve been calling them to check on them, see how they’re doing and knowing that they’ve got my support which is nice.”
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/faith-...f-love-2024723
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
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Aus 24 d Samoa 14
Aus 24 d Kenya 7
The more amusing bit though the crowd "hate" for Argentina!
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Australia into Rugby Sevens Olympic quarter-finals after perfect opening day
Thu, Jul 25, 2024, 2:00 AM
Nathan Williamson
Australia has started their Olympic campaign perfectly with wins over Samoa and Kenya on the opening day of action in the Rugby Sevens.
It ensures they qualify for the quarter-finals, with their match against Argentina later on Thursday night (AEST) set to decide who tops the pool.
Watch every Rugby Sevens match from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games ad-free, live and on demand in 4K on Stan Sport and live on Nine and 9Now.
The Aussies had never won their opening game in an Olympics but managed to pull clear for a tense 21-14 win over Samoa
Whilst the Samoans were featuring in their first Olympics, they seemed to handle the pressure better to start the game as Motu Opetai snatched an early intercept for the first points.
Nerves summed up the Aussies' first five minutes as they repelled Samoa before vice-captain Henry Hutchison got them into action.
He combined well with Matt Gonzalez to strike right before the break, cutting back inside for the levelling try.
The Australians once again had to scramble to force a penalty and immediately launched off the scrum as a long ball from captain Nick Malouf put Nathan Lawson in enough space for the five-pointer.
Shawn Mackay Medalist Henry Paterson combined with Hutchison to put them up by 14 with a minute to go. It sealed the win despite a late try to Faafoi Falaniko after the siren.
“The first game's always the most nervous, but I thought we settled in pretty nicely into that game. It was a bit frantic at the start,” Hutchison said. “Samoa came out hot and that was a really tough game, but we got better and better. Hopefully we can build into the next game with the back end of our performance.”
With Kenya pushing Argentina in their opening game, coach John Manenti called James Turner into the starting side for some extra size and it paid off in the opening seconds with the first try of the game.
Kenya continued to press the Australians and eventually levelled the scores with a try to captain Antony Mboya under the posts.
Dietrich Roache proved the difference in the first half, having set up Turner, before producing a smart grubber for Lawson to stroll over the line for a 14-7 lead as the two teams headed to the half-time break.
From here, it was a lung-busting finish to the game as the Kenyans threw everything at the Aussie defence.
Some heroic defence from Ben Dowling and Lawson prevented certain tries before the fresh legs of Corey Toole sealed the win with a trademark try.
Argentina's win over Samoa secured their place in the quarter-finals, with the SVNS League Winners also undefeated on day one.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Despite the wins, both matches looked shaky
Maurice, in particular, looking out of sorts with uncharacteristic drops of the footy and errant passes.
Was dragged in the first game (the second kicked off at 1-ish am and I don't have clear recommendations of who was there.
Kenya pushed Argentina for a fair while in their game, so hopefully we can get our shit together quicker than them tonight.
C'mon the![]()
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Australia go through the Pool Stage undefeated, with a strong showing over the highly rated Argentina 22-14.
Men's Olympic quarter-finals draw
All times AWST
9th Place Semi Final: Samoa v Japan, 2:00 am
9th Place Semi Final: Uruguay v Kenya, 2:30 am
Quarter Final One: New Zealand v South Africa, 3:00 am
Quarter Final Two: Argentina v France, 3:30 am
Quarter Final Three: Fiji v Ireland 4:00 am
Quarter Final Four: Australia v USA, 4:30 am
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
ANALYSIS: Manenti’s magic men deliver quarter-final glory months in making to set up historic Olympic opportunity
Fri, Jul 26, 2024, 10:02 AM
Nathan Williamson
More- https://www.rugby.com.au/news/analys...tunity-2024725
ANALYSIS: For those wondering where this Australian performance came from only have to look back to December as the Men’s Sevens prepare for a shot at history.
Australia will enter the Olympic semi-finals already making history after a shutout 18-0 win over the USA booked their place in the final four for the first time in program history.
Watch every Rugby Sevens match from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games ad-free, live and on demand in 4K on Stan Sport and live on Nine and 9Now.
The 2021-22 World Series have flown under the radar in Paris amid a resurgent Fiji, France’s rollercoaster and an Argentinian side public enemy number one at the Stade de France.
The 22-14 win over Argentina to start day two ensured that wouldn’t be the case as they took their chances to strike whilst pressing Los Pumas into mistakes.
It was the Australians at their best, however, often a performance that hasn’t been backed up in past events.
Australia went through their pool undefeated in Los Angeles in March, the only other time they’ve managed so in 2023-24 outside of the Olympics, before being unable to back it up as they went down to Great Britain. It was a golden opportunity gone begging considering Spain awaited in the semis after upsetting Fiji.
Manenti and the Aussies refused to let that happen again.
In chats throughout the year, the importance of the quarter-final was reinforced to rugby.com.au by Manenti.
It didn’t matter what had transpired win, loss or draw, only what happened in that second game of day two.
“The challenge remains for us is how many games can we be consistent for and aim up for,” he explained to Rugby.com.au. "We’re not going to be perfect but can we win imperfectly and how strong can we be around that ability when things don’t go our way to respond, hang in the fight and counterpunch?
“We’ve learnt some good lessons about ourselves throughout the season. There’s been times where we’ve been on the podium when we haven’t played as well as it would suggest and times we’ve played really well and finished outside the top four but had a bad game in the quarter final.
“We’ve learnt lots of lessons. The next four or five weeks is going to be nailing all those things where we did certain things well and growth in our certain areas where earlier in the year we were losing games and getting in trouble.”
The lessons referred to were shaped by their SVNS world series that whilst didn’t deliver immediate success, created the pathway to a maiden Olympics semi-finals.
Back in Cape Town in December, the Australians developed the perfect quarter-final template after scrapping into the quarter-finals.
Amid a hostile crowd, they smothered the Blitzboks with relentless pressure at the breakdown and defence to leave them trapped in the 22 for a 28-0 win.
They produced this same gameplan against the USA, a team that had dominated them in the past before a gutsy extra-time win in LA.
Australia had only beaten the Americans twice in nine attempts but a late equaliser and winner five minutes into extra-time has sparked their belief.
They haven’t lost to them since and you sensed that belief as America tried to unleash Perry Baker and Lucas Lacamp with little effectiveness.
Australians leaders Nick Malouf, Maurice Longbottom and Henry Hutchison lamented the lack of a ‘shot’ thrown at previous Olympics in the build-up and they delivered on the big stage.
Malouf set up the opening try to James Turner whilst Hutchison’s break was fortuitous but delivered a crucial try to Corey Toole.
Longbottom then sealed the win with a penalty and try to mark their place in history as the first Australian men’s side to compete for a medal.
What medal remains yet to be seen as they are forced to wait an extra day after the opening ceremony.
To get to the gold medal match, they’ll need to make history against a Fiji side who have never lost at an Olympic Games.
Like Australia, Fiji did not manage a title win in 2023-24 but has been back at their best in Paris.
Fiji are another side that had a significant success rate against Australia until the Aussies toppled them in Perth in January.
In their last two matches, Fiji have managed just seven points, with a similar game plan implemented that worked against the USA.
Don’t discount what this win does for the wider Olympic program as well as Sevens in Australia.
Olympic campaigns are built on momentum and the idea of an Australian team winning game after game will boost spirits as the other 448 athletes await their chance to compete.
The men’s side have a chance to make a real name for themselves, like the women did in 2016.
It has the capable to inspire a new generation of talent from several codes and backgrounds to get a taste of Olympic and Sevens action.
The stakes are high but the Australians will relish the chance to go into the clash underrated and underdogs.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Kudos to Fiji..looking forward to the Final
After the inevitable disappointment of losing matches I've gotta say I'm incredibly proud of the boys performance, best ever finish in the Olympics and definite improvement over previous games.
C'mon the![]()
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