Rugby Sevens Paris OIympic Games 2024: Men's Competition Day One Results

Wed, Jul 24, 2024, 7:54 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
A clutch finish from Nick Malouf wins it in extra-time of the SVNS Singapore quarter-final

The Rugby Sevens is set to kick off the Olympics as the action gets underway at the Stade de France.

Australia started their campaign with a 21-14 win over Samoa, with Henry Hutchison getting a double.

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.

John Manenti's side followed this with a 21-7 win over Kenya to seal a perfect start to their competition.

In other clashes on day one, hosts France drew with the USA whilst Ireland took down South Africa

Follow a recap of all the action game by game:
5:30 am - New Zealand 17 v South Africa 5

New Zealand finish day one with a tough 17-5 win over South Africa

Some trickery from New Zealand set up the opening try as Moses Leo dived over in the corner, answered by Selyvn Davids

Ngarohi McGarvey-Black restored NZ's lead at half-time as Leo's second extended their lead and sealed the win

5:20 am - Ireland 40 v Japan 5

Terry Kennedy continued his brilliant form as he opened the scores with a blistering try before setting up Chay Mullins for a 14-0 lead at the break.

Harry McNulty grabbed an intercept to extend the margin and was followed over by Niall Comerford in a dominant second half for the Irish

Mullins' second try sealed the win and their place in the quarter-finals

4:50 am - Fiji 38 v USA 12

Orrin Bizer dived over for the opening try for the Americans before Fiji instantly answered back twice as they proceeded to blow them out.

Three further tries before the break extended their advantage as they toyed with the USA for a 33-5 lead at the break.

The onslaught continued after the break as Waisea Nacuqu added another try

4:20 am - France 19 v Uruguay 12

France got the opening try but it was Uruguay that led at the break after a late try to Ignacio Facciolo.

Up stepped Antoine Dupont, who burst away from the defence for a special try and the lead, only for Uruguay and Juan Gonzalez to hit straight back.

The hosts rallied and crossed via Jefferson-Lee Joseph, before surviving a late yellow card and Uruguayan charge to seal the win

3:50 am - Argentina 28 v Samoa 12

Argentina will face Australia to decide who tops Pool B after a 28-12 win over Samoa

Matías Osadczuk showed off the soccer skills to score the opener as Argentina continued to silence the boos in the crowd as they took a 21-0 lead into the break.

Osadczuk got his second after the break as Argentina was in cruise control despite a late Samoa fightback

3:20 am - Australia 21 v 7 Kenya

Australia are the first team into the quarter-finals after a 21-7 win over Kenya

Dietrich Roache was the chief destroyer with two try assists as they took a 14-7 lead into the break.

Returning flyer Corey Toole scored in the final minute to seal the win and their spot in the final eight.

12': AUSTRALIA TRY: Corey Toole is back in action, burning his winger to score under the posts Australia 21-7

10': Kenya hunting for an answer but the Australians are fighting hard in defence, turning over the ball twice.

6': AUSTRALIA TRY: A great grubber through by Roache allows Nathan Lawson to stroll over for the easiest of tries Australia 14-7

3': KENYA TRY: Antony Mboya is rewarded for winning the chase to the ball, taking the quick tap and diving over 7-all

1': AUSTRALIA TRY: Dietrich Roache sets James Turner up for an early try for the perfect start Australia 7-0

2:30 am - Turner starts for Australia v Kenya

Just one change to the starting side for Australia as James Turner comes in for Corey Toole.

Toole reverts back to the bench after a successful return to the Sevens program

Starting 7: Hutchison, Dowling, Roache, James Turner, Malouf, Longbottom, Lawson

Reserves: Toole, Sargeant, Paterson, Nawaqanitawase, Gonzalez

2:20 am - New Zealand 40 v Japan 12

Akuila Rokolisoa started the Kiwis perfectly with a try in the first 30 seconds, with Japan hitting straight back.

Fehi Fineanganofo's double gave the New Zealanders a 26-7 lead right at the break

Rokolisoa finished with a double and 18 points as they delivered a commanding win

1:50 am - Ireland 10 v South Africa 5

Ireland dominated the first half but had to wait until the half-time whistle for their first through Jordan Conroy.

They extended their lead as Terry Kennedy capitalised on a Blitzboks yellow card to score down the sideline

South Africa hit back late but it was the Irish that hung on for the win

1:20 am - Fiji 40 v Uruguay 12

Defending champions Fiji have started fast for a 40-12 win over Uruguay

Fiji started their defence fast with the opening try inside the first 90 seconds and shrugged off a Uruguay response for a 19-7 lead at the break

Joji Nasova crossed for a double whilst Fijian Drua stars Iosefo Masi and Selestino Ravutaumada were impressive throughout

12:50 am - France 12 v USA 12

At the start of the blog, I told you not to sleep on this game and it delivered a classic 12-all draw

Points early for the hosts as Jordan Sepho touches down but it's America with the lead as Lucas Lacamp put the USA in front at the break.

France instantly restored the lead to start the second half but the USA level the scores against the run of play for the first big surprise of the event.

12:20 am - Argentina 31 v Kenya 12

Huge boos for Argentina as they run out to a packed Stade de France (down to some simmering soccer beef between Argentina and France), with Kenya using the energy to score first and take a 7-5 lead at the break

But Argentina are one of the favourites for a reason as they strolled away in the second half.

Agustin Fraga scored a double as Marcos Moneta capped his return with a try for a comfortable 31-12 win

11:50 pm - Australia 21 v Samoa 14

Australia have started their campaign with victory, taking down Samoa 21-14.

Samoa caught the Aussies napping early with an intercept try before Henry Hutchison kicked Australia to the win.

He scored twice at the end of either half to ensure a perfect start despite a late Samoa try

14': Samoa strike after the bell via Faafoi Falaniko for what could be a crucial try for their campaign Australia 21-14

13': AUSTRALIA TRY: The Henrys combine as Paterson finds Hutchison for the game sealer Australia 21-7

11': AUSTRALIA TRY: Nathan Lawson steams down the sidelines as the Aussies hit the front Australia 14-7

10': An excellent tackle from Ben Dowling stops Samoa and earns Australia the penalty

7': AUSTRALIA TRY: Henry Hutchison strikes back as they take advantage of a Samoan error 7-all

5': Australia trying to overcome a nervous start as they can't find a way through Samoa

2': SAMOA TRY: Motu Opetai snatches an intercept and races 60 metres to score under the posts Samoa 7-0

11:00 pm - Australia confirm starting side v Samoa

John Manenti has locked in his starting side to face Samoa, with flyer Corey Toole thrown straight into the action.

Toole is joined in the backs by Ben Dowling, Dietrich Roache and Maurice Longbottom.

Nick Malouf captains the side in the forward trio with vice captain Henry Hutchison and Nathan Lawson completing the run-on side.

Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase, Henry Paterson, Matt Gonzalez, Hayden Sargeant and James Turner provide impact off the bench

10:30 pm - A jersey presentation to remember

Before they kickoff, check out Australia's official jersey presentation before they commence their Olympic campaign at the Australian embassy.

The embassy has one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower, just metres away as players got to soak up the moment with friends and family.

Side note: The jerseys with the Indigenous design on the sleeves are one of the best out there.

10:00 pm - Fixtures

For those either just waking up or staying up, here is your slate of fixtures for the first day of Rugby Sevens.

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

9:00 pm - Welcome

Hello and welcome to Rugby.com.au's Live Blog for the opening day of Olympic action for the Rugby Sevens.

The Aussie men will be the first of the 460-strong green and gold contingency that will compete in the 2024 Olympics in just over two hours.

There are some great match-ups in the opening slate of games at the Stade de France.

Ireland-South Africa is a great match almost nine months on from their World Cup thriller in the 15s but don't sleep on USA-France as the hosts get their tournament underway against the team that beat them in Singapore.

Get the coffee/Red Bull ready as the Olympics get underway two days before the opening ceremony.

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.

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