The Australian men's Sevens side will be gunning for their first Olympic medal as they prepare for the Paris Olympics.
The men have had back-to-back quarter-final exits, finishing seventh in Tokyo after defeat to Fiji.
Catch every game of the Paris 2024 Olympic Rugby Sevens on Stan Sport
Coach John Manenti has returned to the program and instantly delivered success with Australia's maiden world series title in 2021-22.
With some returning stars adding x-factor to the squad, the Australians head to Paris confident they can achieve their best finish and push for a medal.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the men's Rugby Sevens competition
The Australia men's Sevens campaign will begin on July 24 against Samoa (11:30 pm AEST) 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)
If they manage to finish in the top two or as one of the two highest-ranked third-place finishes, they will qualify for the quarter-finals.
A first-place group finish would likely set up a clash with the best finishing third-place team whilst finishing second would likely see them face either Fiji or USA
Meanwhile, finishing third would mean they would face the winners of Pool A or B, likely New Zealand or Argentina
Pool B: Australia v Samoa, Wednesday July 24 at 11:30 pm (AEST)
Pool B: Australia v Kenya, Thursday July 25 at 3:00 am (AEST)
Pool B: Argentina v Australia, Thursday July 25 at 10:30 pm (AEST).
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
THE CAPTAIN
Nick Malouf once again leads Australian into an Olympics with the dream of a maiden medal.
Malouf is one of the most experienced players in the Sevens squad, heading to his third Olympics alongside Henry Hutchison.
His experience will be invaluable on the big stage, especially as they reach the knock-out stages.
THE X-FACTOR
Corey Toole returns to the Sevens circuit as one of the most damaging players in World Rugby.
Toole would've likely made his Wallabies debut in any other year, however, the allure of Sevens gold saw the Brumby make the switch.
The Australians missed his game-changing speed after his departure and he'll be pivotal to their chances.
THE (DEPARTING) WALLABY
Mark Nawaqanitawase will have one final crack at success in Rugby before making the switch to the NRL.
Nawaqanitawase will head to the Sydney Roosters at the end of the Olympics, leaving the chance to leave Rugby with a lasting impression and medal.
He brings major size to the side, which has been their downfall against teams like Argentina and Samoa in the past.
ARGENTINA
Tokyo 2020 Finish: Third-placed (Loss to Fiji in the SF)
Last time we played: Australia 5 - 14 Argentina (Madrid 2024)
Argentina announced itself as a Sevens powerhouse at the last Olympics and has picked up from where it left off
They enter Paris in red-hot form, taking out the SVNS League title before going down to France in the Grand Final in Madrid.
Superstar Marcos Moneta leads the charge as one of the faces of the Olympic team as one of the best players on the circuit.
SAMOA
Tokyo 2020 Finish: N/A
Last time we played: Australia 28 - 19 Samoa (Los Angeles 2024)
Samoa are coming off a difficult SVNS campaign that saw them relegated from the World Series.
The Samoans were competing with the best of the circuit a year ago but have struggled for form since, qualifying through the Oceania tournament.
Vaafauese Apelu Maliko is the major threat, finishing as the top try scorer in the 2022-23 World Series.
KENYA
Tokyo 2020 Finish: Ninth
Last time we played: Australia 7 - 12 Kenya (Los Angeles 2023)
Kenya have worked their way back onto the SVNS world series circuit after a dominant win over Germany.
The Kenyans have caused Australia trouble with the size and strength in the past and loom as a major danger game for John Manenti's side.
Whilst Australia and Argentina are expected to be two of the main contenders for the medals at the Tokyo Olympic Rugby Sevens, there are plenty of nations pushing for contention.
FRANCE
Tokyo 2020 Finish: N/A
France feels like a team of destiny on home soil.
They are the form side of the Sevens world series after taking out the SVNS Madrid title.
Antoine Dupont has added major talent and expectation around this side, who missed the Tokyo Olympics.
NEW ZEALAND
Tokyo 2020 Finish: Second (defeated by Fiji)
New Zealand are always a threat in the Sevens and will be hungry to go one better in 2024.
The All Blacks Sevens are hitting form at the right time, winning the final two events before the Madrid Grand Final.
They are also one of the most consistent teams on the series, winning medals in 11 events in the past two seasons.
FIJI
Tokyo 2020 Finish: Gold (defeated NZ)
Fiji are out for a famous three-peat to continue their dominance over the Olympic competition.
The Fijians have had a comparatively quiet 2023-24 world series, going without an event title.
However, their third place finish in Madrid and the return of gold medalist Iosefo Masi makes them a team to watch in Paris.
IRELAND
Tokyo 2020 Finish: Tenth
Ireland are the wildcards in Paris, capable of beating any team on their day.
They were the most consistent team without a title in 2023-24, making the top four on five occasions in 2023-24.
It saw them finish second in the League and the likes of Terry Kennedy and Jordan Conroy will decide the game.
