LIVE BLOGGING: Join us as we bring you updates from the Sevens tournament at the Paris Olympics.
Reigning Olympic champions Fiji reminded everyone exactly why they have two gold medals to their name on the opening day of the competition, beating Uruguay and the United States to book their place in the medal quarterfinals.
New Zealand, Ireland, Argentina and Australia have also secured their passage to the knockout phase with perfect starts on Day One.
However, hosts France still have work to do to ensure a place in the last eight, with the United States chasing hard in a wide-open Pool C.
Below we bring you all the drama from Day Two at the iconic Stade de France.
Thursday, July 25
Quarterfinals
TBC
Ninth-place play-offs
TBC
Pool play
Samoa 26 – 0 Kenya
It’s the Samoans and the Kenyan battling it out for a third place berth in Pool B. Samoa struck the first blow with Opetai needing no introduction to the try-line. The first half belonged to Samoa with one unconverted try separating the two teams as Kenya looked to stay in contention with some strong carries with the ball that just couldn’t quite get them over the line.
Samoa kept the pressure going into the second half with retaining possession from the restart followed by a few penalties that gave Scanlan an opportunity for a quick tap to catch the Kenyans off guard and get Samoa their second try. A yellow card late into the game added to Kenya’s woes which Samoa took full advantage of running in two more tries courtesy of Maliku and Onosai and that would be the ball game. Samoa keep their play-off hopes alive with an impressive start to Day 2 that puts them at the top of the third-placed team rankings with plenty of action to come.
Argentina 14 – 22 Australia
A crucial and highly anticipated clash between Los Pumas and the Wallabies to decide the front-runner in Pool B. Argentina were first to open up their account with Gonzalez racing away to get the last pass out to Schulz for the try as Australia looked to give a swift response. Argentina continued to keep Australia pinned in their own half but a useful kick-chase had Argentina frantically tracking back to their own line forcing a cynical foul to hand themselves a yellow card and the momentum back to Australia who would capitalize on having the extra man to score two tries and take the lead before the break of play.
The start to the second half continued to go in favor of the Australians with Argentina making an error from the kick-off to carry the ball over their own line for Australia to get the scrum and swing the ball out wide to Roache to get in for Australia’s third try. Argentina would strike back next making good use of possession with Osadczuk using his long arms to stretch out and score some vital points for his team as one point separated the two teams with a few minutes left to play. Australia were able to close out the game with Malouf scoring one more time for the men down under as they finish top of their log to advance into the play-offs.
United States 33 – 17 Uruguay
It’s another survival match between two teams looking to keep their play-off hopes alive. The USA didn’t take long to get going with Perry Baker getting the ball on the wing, only needing a sniff of space to speed down the touchline for the first try of the match. Uruguay struck back next in the mask-wearing Amaya who bashed his way over the line followed by a second try by Basso as the South American looked poised to upset the Eagles. The USA would not take this lightly as they kept their noses out in front thanks to Lacamp who showed blistering pace to unselfishly setup Perry Baker for their second try and lead at the halftime by two points.
Lacamp was at it again to score for the USA early in the second half to ensure that the favorites in this game were well in control. A hat-trick from Perry Baker would give the Eagles a comfortable lead from a Uruguayan mistake close to the try-line that would cost them dearly not only through conceding points but a yellow card as well. Amaya would get in to score one more time for Uruguay to keep the match interesting but a special fourth try for Perry Baker would seal the victory for the USA as the fight for a third-place ranking continues to heat up.
Fiji v France
TBC
South Africa v Japan
TBC
New Zealand v Ireland
TBC
