Olympic Sevens Lead Up Thread

[Burgs]

Australia's Rugby Sevens Pools announced for Paris Olympics

Mon, Jun 24, 2024, 6:29 AM
Nathan Williamson

The Paris 2024 Olympic pools for Rugby Sevens have been confirmed with both Australian sides drawn into Pool B.

It comes following the World Rugby Sevens Repechage competition in Monaco, with South Africa (men) and China (women) booking their spot as the final qualifiers.

Watch every Wallabies Test live and on-demand via Stan Sport.

The men will face SVNS League winners Argentina, Samoa, and Kenya in their pool.

John Manenti's side went down 14-5 against Los Pumas in Madrid at the start of the month.

The Aussies defeated Samoa in two out of their three clashes on the SVNS circuit, whilst Kenya won their way back onto the series through the Challenger series.

“There’s no easy games,” Manenti reflected to Rugby.com.au.

“Samoa have had a tough season but can still beat anyone on their day and will have players coming in from around the world.

“Kenya is Kenya and have 12 blokes that are six foot five and built like outhouses, play good foot and had a good weekend on the recent tour.

“We’re also playing Argentina who have been a top team for the last few years on the World Series so it’s going to be tough.”

Defending Olympic champions Fiji are drawn alongside SVNS champions Fiji, USA and Uruguay in Pool C whilst top-ranked New Zealand take on Ireland, South Africa and Japan in Pool A.

As for the Women, it's a familiar Pool as they face Ireland, Great Britain and debutants South Africa.

Tim Walsh's side have built a rivalry with the Irish since the start of the year when Ireland upset Australia on home soil in Perth.

Since then, they are undefeated against them, including a 33-14 win in Madrid.

Likewise, GB took down Australia in the group stages of Perth, but were hammered 44-0 in their last encounter in Singapore.

As for South Africa, they did not score against the Australians in the 2023-24 SVNS series, eventually eliminated from the world series.

Reigning Olympic Champions and SVNS League Winners New Zealand face Fiji, Canada and freshly qualified China in Pool A with hosts France, USA, Japan and Brazil rounding our Pool C.

[Burgs]

Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea ruled out of Paris Olympics

Mon, Jun 2o4, 2024, 12:29 PM
Nathan Williamson

World SVNS champions Australia have been handed a major setback with Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea ruled out of the Paris Olympics after suffering an ACL injury.

Lefau-Fakaosilea picked up the knee injury in their Brisbane camp as they prepared for a warm-up tournament against Fiji, Japan and Australia A.

The 23-year-old was on the mend after a shoulder sub-laxation before the Vancouver leg of the world series.

It was expected that Lefau-Fakaosilea would return for the warm-up event in Brisbane, only for the latest setback to end her Olympic dream.

The former Wallaroo will head for surgery in the coming days as she eyes a return in 2025.

Lefau-Fakaosilea was nominated for the Shawn McKay Medal in 2023 after an excellent season on the world series alongside Charlotte Caslick and Maddison Levi.

The setback adds to the injury woes for Tim Walsh’s side after an eventful world series.

Madison Ashby and Lily Dick both suffered ACL injuries in their second-place finish in Singapore.

It came after Demi Hayes picked up the same injury in Cape Town in December.

Kiwi star Sarah Hirini also did her ACL in South Africa, however, stunned plenty after being named in the Black Ferns Olympic squad on Thursday.

The Australians will name their squads towards the start of July before heading over to France for pre-Olympic camps.

The Women have been drawn into Pool B alongside Ireland, Great Britain and South Africa

The men kick off the action on July 24 before the women feature from July 28-30.

[Sheikh]

https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/06/2...ead-to-darwin/

The Roar piece is about the Sevens squads heading to Darwin for a final training camp before the squads for Paris are announced, but it includes this line:

Western Force utility back Max Burey is also with the group.

I hadn't realised Burey was with the sevens squad (Hooper and Nawaqanitawase presumably taking all the media attention). Hope he gets taken as I think he could be an excellent playmaker and as we saw when he did get on the field this year, he's got some wheels.

[tjs10]

https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/06/2...ead-to-darwin/

The Roar piece is about the Sevens squads heading to Darwin for a final training camp before the squads for Paris are announced, but it includes this line:


I hadn't realised Burey was with the sevens squad (Hooper and Nawaqanitawase presumably taking all the media attention). Hope he gets taken as I think he could be an excellent playmaker and as we saw when he did get on the field this year, he's got some wheels.

https://twf.com.au/showthread.php?t=44919

[Burgs]

https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/06/2...ead-to-darwin/

The Roar piece is

Laughable in an Olympic year, where Gold is Gold regardless of gender, that they have a big article about fringe selection "big name" Men's players and an afterthought mention, mainly due to an injury, about the Women's. Says a lot about the media and particularly Doran's focus.

[Burgs]

Toole, Nawaqanitawase included as Australia announces Men's Paris Olympics Sevens squad

Wed, Jul 3, 2024, 10:30 AM
Nathan Williamson

The Men's Rugby Sevens Olympics squad has been confirmed for the Paris Games as the squad hunt for their first medal.

Coach John Manenti has named a 12-player squad, with two reserve players set to travel to France.

Flyers Corey Toole and Mark Nawaqanitawase have been added following their standout seasons in Super Rugby.

Toole returns to the program after making his name in the title-winning world series campaign in 2021-22, whilst Nawaqanitawase featured at the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

Captain Nick Malouf and vice-captain Henry Hutchison will become three-time Olympians.

“It’s been a huge squad effort over the last three years to put us in a really good place to compete in Paris,” Malouf said.

“John and the coaching staff have put together a really exciting group of quality men who I’m sure will make Australians proud.

“Within the group, we’ve got a nice blend of first, second, and third-time Olympians who are all looking forward to competing hard at the Games. I’m so fortunate to be able to lead this team, and I can’t wait to get stuck into it over in Paris.”

Meanwhile, trio Nathan Lawson, Dietrich Roache and James Turner return for their second Olympic Games after featuring in the side that finished seventh in Tokyo.

Josh Turner and Michael Icely are the travelling reserves, who can be called up in case of injury or other withdrawal of one of the selected athletes.

"We’re delighted to announce the 2024 Paris Olympic squad – a squad that we’re confident will represent Australia with pride and performance," Manenti said.

“The group has over 330 world series tournaments of experience, five previous Olympians and seven debutants.

“We welcome Corey Toole and Mark Nawaqanitawase back to the squad, both of whom have had seamless transitions and add an X-factor to our well-established combinations.

“We had a really good two weeks in Fiji and Darwin recently and that along with our solid season has the team really well prepared for Paris.”

Wallabies legend Michael Hooper announced his retirement on Sunday after missing selection for the Olympic squad.

The men will face Argentina, Samoa, and Kenya in their pool, with action to kick off on July 24.

MEN'S RUGBY SEVENS SQUAD FOR PARIS OLYMPICS

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

[Burgs]

Women lock in experienced squad as Australia Paris Olympics team confirmed

Wed, Jul 3, 2024, 10:24 AM
Nathan Williamson

The Women's Rugby Sevens Olympics squad has been confirmed for the Paris Games as they hunt for their second gold medal in three Olympic appearances.

Captain Charlotte Caslick and Sharni Smale will become three-time Olympians and are the lone surviving members of the historic Rio campaign

“I’m really excited to be heading to a third Olympics and cannot wait to play alongside these girls,” Caslick said.

“We’ve worked really hard to get to this point where we are chasing a gold medal.

“I’ve loved every moment of being able to lead these players and we're in a good place to play well.

“Paris is an incredible city that will bring the best out of our players. We can’t wait to get over there.”

There are seven players returning from the campaign in Tokyo in 2021, where the team finished fifth.

Teagan Levi, Bridget Clark, Isabella Nasser, Kaitlin Shave and Bienne Terita will contest at their first Olympics, with Kahli Henwood and Sidney Taylor named as the travelling reserves.

The squad are coming off victory at the HSBC SVNS world series Grand Final in Madrid.

“We have selected a team that knows how to win at big events. Preparations have been detailed, challenging and enjoyable," coach Tim Walsh said.

“We are a process-driven and performance-based team and the journey over the past three years is reason we are ready to perform.

“The team is always first and we would like to thank Rugby Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee for making the Olympic dream a possibility.”

Australian Sevens squad members Demi Hayes, Madison Ashby, Lily Dick and Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea were unavailable due to knee injuries.

Walsh's side have drawn Ireland, Great Britain and debutants South Africa in their pool, with action to kick off on July 28.

WOMEN'S RUGBY SEVENS SQUAD FOR PARIS OLYMPICS

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