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Australia men qualify for Olympic quarters after two wins on day one

By Finn Morton
Dietrich Roache of Team Australia during the Men's Rugby Sevens Pool B match between Team Australia and Team Kenya at the Stade de France during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. (Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Australia have qualified for the Paris Olympics quarter-finals after overcoming an unfortunate start against Samoa to win 21-14, and later beating Kenya 21-7 on a historic day at the world-famous Stade de France.

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If the opening day of the event at the Games is anything to go by, this will be the biggest tournament in rugby sevens’ illustrious history. What appeared to be a full house at the 80,000-seat stadium watched as Australia and Samoa got things underway.

The men’s sevens team were the first Australian team to represent the nation at the Games and they appeared to feel the pressure and nerves that come with that responsibility. With the Aussies looking to mount an attack, a wayward pass led to points in Samoa’s favour.

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Playmaker Dietrich Roache threw an intercept which saw Samoa score under the posts and convert the try to take a seven-nil lead. But Australia had looked threatening up until that point and backed their key players to stand up.

Three-time Olympian Henry Hutchison combined with Matt Gonzalez to score just before the half-time break after slicing through a couple of Samoan defenders. That effort saw the two teams go into the break level but the Aussies had the momentum.

Nathan Lawson ran down the left wing with just under four minutes left to play in the second half to score the go-ahead points, and that man ‘Hutch’ was in thick of it later on with what ended up being the match-winning score.

Samoa’s Faafoi Falaniko scored after the siren but time and the scoreboard was not on their side. Australia had done enough to secure what was a confidence-building win to open their account at the Saint-Denis venue.

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“The first game’s always the most nervous, but I thought we settled in pretty nicely into that game. It was a bit frantic at the start,” Henry Hutchison said in a statement.

“Samoa came out hot and that was a really tough game, but we got better and better. Hopefully, we can build into the next game with the backend of our performance.”

With a spot in the quarter-finals ultimately on the line in their second pool match against Kenya, Australia shot out of the blocks with a point to prove. They’ve historically gotten off to a bit of a slow start at the Olympics but this was anything but.

Dietrich Roache kicked off the match and Australia soon retained possession. It was a blink and you’ll miss it type of moment from there, with James Turner racing away to score behind the posts just 25 seconds into the contest.

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Kenya, who have recently been promoted to the SVNS Series after winning a playoff in Madrid last month, hit back with a try of their own soon after to level the scores at seven-all.

But the Aussies would regain the lead quite quickly.

Nathan Lawson scored his second try of the Games with a stunning team effort with about one minute left to play. With Roache kicking the ball ahead, Lawson ran onto the ball with relative ease to give the men in gold and green the lead.

There was only one try scored in the second term and it was ACT Brumbies flyer and Wallaby-in-waiting Corey Toole who raced down the right wing. Wearing bright pink boots, the No. 3 scored the try which ended up sending them through to the next stage.

“Naturally there are a bit of nerves there when you’re the first Australian side playing and you want to get off to a good start,” coach John Manenti explained.

“Previous Olympics we haven’t had a good first day so we’ve put ourselves in a good position and go in tomorrow against Argentina to have a good shot at them.”

Australia will take on Argentina in their final pool match. Argentina won the SVNS Series League title for the first time earlier this year in Singapore and came agonisingly close to claiming the overall crown at the Grand Final in Madrid.

Earlier in the season, these teams went head-to-head in two Cup Finals, including a one-sided decider at Australia’s home event in Perth. Argentina won that one and also got the job done one month earlier in the Cape Town big dance.

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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Assistant coach’s warning for Springboks as All Blacks look to bounce back

I think the set pieces are going to be even stevens. The boks will be much better on their lineouts. Tamaiti Williams got pumped in the first half by Malherbe and the ABs were very lucky not to have conceded more scrum penalties. So one would expect them to have worked on that. As well as penalty count and discipline.


The weather in Cape Town looks fine albeit a bit gusty. Shouldn’t be as high a high scoring game so taking and slotting high pressure penalties is going to be on the cards. Hence Pollards cool calm demeanor at 10.


I think the kicking contest is going to decide this match. Both teams put each other under pressure last week albeit at different parts of the game. The boks came into the ascendancy as they kicked longer range kicks onto the back. So Will Jordan’s selection at the back over BB is interesting. I’m not sure Will is as good a tactical kicker as BB, but perhaps they’re expecting more of the same, with Will and Reece launching counter attacks off deep kicks.


But I expect the boks will be launching more contestables with Moodie chasing. Using his close on 2 m frame to pressure Reece and on kick-offs. If this works, can we expect to see BB back on with Tele’a taking Reeces place and Jordan back on 14? Early in the second half.


I think it’s going to be a low scoring game, both defenses will be tighter today. The boks will try and keep the ABs from taking any early lead. Expect them to play to their conservative style in the first half, box kicks. Aggressive defending. Staying in the AB half. The bomb squad will come on earlier if they play this style.


Grant Williams is going to be dangerous today for the ABs. His ability to find and snipe through gaps is stunning. The ABs are going to have to keep an eye on him carefully. Particularly if they’re keeping an eye on multiple big runners coming at them. DDA. Eben. Wiese. Siya. William is due a massive game in the 9 jersey. We haven’t seen him at his best yet. His box kicking this RC has been on point.


Expect to see SFM come in at 12 today for DDA in the second half. DDA is going to go back to his battering ram, flank forward role in the backline.


The ABs ability to score off our mistakes is where they are still so dangerous. And that’s what I’m nervous about. The boks execution this RC hasn’t been perfect. I think Jordan and Reece are going to be waiting for those mistakes. And that’s where I think the ABs can win it. A few quick scores early or late in the game. The boks are going to have to be wide awake and on point.


I’m excited to see where Am fits in today. I miss him and before his untimely injury he was my favorite player in the Bok backline. I expect he may come on at 13, kriel moving to wing and Moodie coming off to boost our backline defence. Moodie could even move to Fullback for Willie.


I can’t wait for this game. Good luck to you kiwis. There’s going to be fireworks today and lots to talk tomorrow that’s for sure!


No jets expected over Cape Town Stadium today. But the DJ has ABBAs greatest hits locked and loaded.

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