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Olympic Sevens rugby quarter-finals line-up confirmed as France stumble
By Ian Cameron
The line-up for the Olympics Sevens rugby quarter-finals have been confirmed in Paris.
Ireland, New Zealand, Fiji, South Africa, France, USA, Australia and Argentina will now contest the knock-out stage of the tournament that is currently being played out at Stade de France in the French capital.
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Ireland will play Fiji after losing 14-12 in the Pool A decider against New Zealand, while South Africa’s big score in their 49-5 win over Japan saw them go through with just one win to their name.
New Zealand will play Pool A opponents South Africa again in their quarter-final.
Australia topped Pool B with three wins from three, with Argentina taking second place. The South Americans will now take on France in the quarter-finals, while Australia will play the United States.
Favourites France came second to Fiji, in Pool C, with just one win and one draw to their name. The USA, also with one win and one draw, qualified third on points difference.
Antoine Dupont’s France have failed to impress so far in their home Olympics, with a 12-12 draw against the USA and a 19-12 loss to reigning champs Fiji dampening French spirits. “We need to raise our level. If not, we will not go too far. We need to be focused on the game and not distracted because we are capable of better. In the last minutes we showed our mindset is strong,” said Dupont on Wednesday after Day 1.
The quarter-finals start from 8pm UK time tonight, July 25th.
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Du Pont arguing with the ref, what’s new???
Does Ireland’s loss to NZ mean that NZ is now the best team in the world?
I’m legitimately asking for a friend who is new to rugby and doesn’t understand how the best team in the world is decided on.
Costly costly loss by Ireland with a 12-0 lead at half time. Keenan butchered a chance from 5m, and Ireland took a quick penalty from 5m twice in a row from the wrong place. The reward for that Failure was a resurgent Fiji who are looking back to their best. NZ play SA, SA were much much improved against Japan. Good evenings Rugby in store.