Rugby Sevens 2020 Tokyo Olympic Review

Men’s Event

Group A was won by New Zealand with an impressive points difference of +68. Behind them were Argentina, who scored a 29-19 upset over Australia. Fiji won Group B ahead of Great Britain and Canada. Group C came down to the final match between South Africa and the United States. South Africa won 17-12. New Zealand became the first team into the semi-finals with a 21-10 win over Canada. The USA took a 21-0 lead over Great Britain, but Britain fired back to win 26-21. Argentina beat South Africa 19-14. In the first semi, New Zealand took a 14-7 lead over Great Britain at halftime. In the second half though, New Zealand turned it on, scoring 15 more unanswered points. Similarly, Fiji were 14-12 down at halftime before scoring 14 unanswered points to set up the dream final. Less than a minute into the bronze medal match and Great Britain had taken a 5-0 lead but by half time Argentina led 12-5. A try by Ollie Lindsay-Hauge brought it to level with three minutes to go, but Ignacio Mendy scored a superb solo try only to see the kick missed but still 17-12 ahead. Argentina managed to hold on to win a bronze medal. Fiji took an early lead in the final and at halftime led 19-12. Another try gave them a 12-point edge heading into the final minute.

🥇Fiji 🇫🇯

🥈New Zealand 🇳🇿

🥉Argentina 🇦🇷

Women’s Event

New Zealand started their group strongly, although Great Britain pushed them in the second game. In Pool B, France beat Fiji, who themselves beat Canada. France sealed the group with a 31-0 win over Fiji. Australia and the United States both won their opening games in Group C, but Australia looked the more impressive team. Australia opened quickly in the game to decide the heat, going 12-0 up only for the United States to hit back to win 14-12. New Zealand beat Russia 36-0 in the first quarter-final. Fiji rushed into a 14-0 lead against Australia. Australia pulled it back to 14-12 but with only 30 seconds to go, Fiji kept the ball to qualify for the semi-final. Great Britain took a 21-0 lead in their quarter-final to take a comfortable win. France also got out to a big lead, going up 24-5 and seeing the game out. Fiji led New Zealand 7-5 at halftime. With two minutes to go the teams were tied at 12-12. New Zealand went 17-12 up with 30 seconds to go, only for it to be tied with a try, a minute after the clock expired for Fiji sending the game to extra time. In extra time it was New Zealand, keeping the ball for three minutes and scoring a try to make the final. In the other semi final, France led at halftime 21-12. On the restart in the second half, France scored an early try. Britain hit back with a try of their own and although they would finish the game in the ascendancy it was too little, too late. Fiji took the early 7-0 lead in the bronze-medal match. and Britain would pressure them but the Fijian defence held strong. Against the run of play, they scored a breakaway try to go 14-0 up, with Britain back to 14-5 at halftime. It was the offloads of Fiji that were causing Britain problems and a 21-5 lead with three minutes to go felt insurmountable. They cut it down to 21-12 but it was too late. In the final, New Zealand took a 19-5 lead at half-time and France could only bring it back to lose 26-12.

🥇New Zealand 🇳🇿

🥈France 🇫🇷

🥉Fiji 🇫🇯