The sevens is shaping up to be a marquee event at this summer’s Olympics, with some of the top nations from across the world set to battle it out for the medals. It’s also looking to be one of the most open events of the games, so picking out three countries for the podium is no easy feat.
So we’ve turned to a number of experts from the sport, including some competitors and gold medalists to get their views on which nations might go all the way this year. These were four representatives from the men’s and women’s events who we interviewed as part of our ‘Magnificent Sevens features’ (men's here). As an added bonus, we’ve also picked their brains about who the standout players might be over the next few weeks.
Jodie Ounsley’s predictions
Here are the thoughts of former England and GB Women’s Sevens wing Jodie Ounsley:
RP: Which sevens players in the women’s event are the ones to watch this summer?
JO: “Ellie Kildunne. The reason for this is that she’s coming back to sevens and she’s going to bring so many fans with her and I know she will make a great impact and be a storm at the Olympics. She will get people talking for sure.”
RP: What about your medal predictions for the women’s event itself?
JO: “I have to back the GB women’s side, but Australia and New Zealand are so strong and are definitely teams to look out for. That said, some teams just bring it at the Olympics; teams you might not expect who maybe handle the pressure a bit better than others - Fiji for instance, I love Fiji!”
Gareth Baber’s predictions
These are the views of Gareth Baber, the revered coach who guided the Fiji men’s side to their second gold medal in Tokyo 2020:
RP: Who are your players to watch at this year’s Olympics?
GB: “I find it tricky to pick out individuals, as to me the best players are the best seven on the pitch doing a job. When I describe performances, I try to focus on ‘the team’; so what qualities the team has together and how well they give a good account of themselves.”
RP: So which teams do you think will stand out or finish in the medals?
GB: “In the men’s event, Argentina have shown real consistency and Ireland have been very good too; there’s a real quality and robustness in both these teams.
“New Zealand will be positioning themselves as real medal contenders too. I’d also back France to do well, but their major challenge is constructing a frame to help their players do their best stuff in front of the home crowd.
“For the women’s event, I’ve been really impressed with Australia and New Zealand and it’s hard to separate them. But there’s a lot of potential for the likes of France and maybe Canada to get medals - the latter have recruited well into their squad.
“For both though, I know people will be worried about Fiji, given their track record. There’s work to be done there, but they certainly can medal. The country is steeped in sevens rugby and they’ve consistently produced some players who can really do something.”
Katy Daley-McLean’s predictions
Former Women’s GB fly-half, and captain of the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup-winning England side, Katy Daley-McLean MBE had this to say:
RP: Which women’s sevens players are your ones to watch at the 2024 Olympics?
KDM: “Maddison Levi and Portia Woodman will be standouts, but I’m really interested to see how the French girls get on. It could go one of two ways for them with the home crowd - it’ll buoy them or make the pressure too much.
“I’ve mentioned Ellie [Kildunne] already and Meg Jones for GB should do well; but Ellie especially, I reckon if she smashes it in the Olympics and the next World Cup, she has the potential to become a household name.”
RP: What are your medal predictions for the women’s event?
KDM: “The teams are really interesting here and obviously Australia and New Zealand are big favourites, but with their style of rugby, I think Canada and France will be in the mix there as well. That’s the beauty of sevens, one bad performance in the quarter finals and you can be out of the medal hunt, even if you are a favourite.”
Tom Mitchell’s predictions
Former England and GB Sevens captain, Tom Mitchell, had this to say:
RP: Who are your players to watch or look out for at this year’s Olympics?
TM: “With the men’s, I think Terry Kennedy for Ireland. He’ll be an absolute game changer for them and he’s a huge reason why they’ve done so well this season. If he’s firing they’ll be genuine medal contenders.
“Dupont is a given [laughs]. Aside from that, Jerry Tuwai for Fiji - who is chasing a third gold medal and also told me that apparently ‘one medal is enough for a man’ [laughs] and I guess lastly, looking at Argentina, Marcos Moneta who has come back from injury to make the squad is an absolute gun when fully firing.
“Then on the women’s side, Caroline Drouin and Séraphine Okemba for France will make them genuine medal contenders. It’s also hard to look beyond Australia and New Zealand; so Jorja Miller from the latter who I think will be nominated for the ‘player of the year’ this year; she’s been amazing. For Australia I’ll say Maddison Levi and her sister Teagan, who is arguably the more ‘useful’ player in the eyes of purists - but Maddi gets all the tries!”
RP: What about the medal predictions?
TM: “I think you can determine my medal predictions from the players I’ve listed here [laughs]. But with the women’s, I think Canada might just sneak in there and get a bronze; their youthful exuberance might serve them well!”
Rachael Burford’s predictions
Former England star and GB Women’s Sevens player, Rachael Burford, gave us her views:
RP: Who are your players to watch out for at the Olympics?
RB: “Jorja Miller for New Zealand is an unbelievable player, such a baller. She can just unlock defences with ease and she’s an absolute workhorse.
“It’s hard to pick just one Australian as well, they have so many incredible players. I guess you have to mention Maddison Levi, she’s unbelievable, so prolific and her finishing is incredible. This is also because of players around her like Charlotte Caslick, who are also brilliant.
“Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe is a real taliswoman for Ireland, they’re a different team without her and she will be super key for them.
“Meg Jones will be massive for GB, her presence will transform that team. She alone will increase the ability of the whole squad.”
RP: What are your medal predictions for the women’s event?
RB: “France - although under a lot of pressure - are at their best when they’re at home, so they have a huge chance here. Unsure which medal, but they’ll get one. You can’t overlook the form of Canada coming into the game! This could be a Bronze Medal match up!
“Australia and New Zealand are coming into the Olympics very strong and a lot of people are expecting them to battle it out for the Gold, but it’ll depend on who stays fit for them.” Or could we see a new finalist at the Olympics!! That's the beauty of sevens… it's pretty unpredictable!”
Luke Treharne’s predictions
Former men’s GB Sevens player and current Hong Kong 7s skills coach, Luke Treharne, gave us these predictions:
RP: Do you have any players who you think we should be looking out for at the Olympics?
LT: “In the women’s game, definitely, Jorja Miller for New Zealand. It’s also hard to look past Maddison Levi with the form she is in too. From Team GB, I’d say Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, she’s always got something up her sleeve, whether it’s in attack or defence.
“For the men’s, definitely Terry Kennedy; it’s fantastic to see him back in with the Ireland team. Jerry Tuwai is on to make it three golds, so there’ll be a lot of eyes on him for that - and I’d love to see it happen. A third would be Marcos Moneta of Argentina, I expect nothing less than the best from him in Paris this summer.”
RP: What are your medal predictions for the Olympics?
LT: “For the women, I’ve been toying between the two juggernauts of Australia and New Zealand, but I think New Zealand will get the gold. France will get the bronze. As for the men, I think it’s going to go something like Argentina for gold, Fiji silver and Ireland bronze. I’ve tried to predict this all year now, it’s really tough [laughs].”
Naya Tapper’s predictions
Current USA Women’s Sevens captain, Naya Tapper, offered these thoughts:
RP: Who are your women’s players to watch out for at the Olympics?
NT: “It’s got to be: Ilona Maher, Maddi Levi, Teagan Levi, Michaela Blyde, Portia Woodman, Anne-Cécile Ciofani, Séraphine Okemba - I would say myself, but I’m a very superstitious person [laughs]. With how much talent we have in the game across all teams I could go on and on.
RP: What about your medal predictions?
NT: “For the women’s and men’s side I manifest USA taking the gold. Let’s hope we can come back to this conversation and praise how great I am at predictions.”
Mike Friday’s predictions
Current USA Men’s Sevens coach and former England Sevens captain, Mike Friday, told us the following:
RP: For Paris 2024, which players do you think will stand out?
MF: “With the women’s you’ve got the Levi sisters who are fantastic, Jorja Miller is a real catalyst too for New Zealand, but they’ve also got Michaela Blyde and Portia Woodman - a core of excellent players.
“On the men’s side, Marcos Moneta for Argentina, Dupont - just because it’s him - Terry Kennedy from Ireland is just a proper baller and will make things happen. New Zealand have two guys I really like, Moses Leo and Leroy Carter, both powerful, big engines. But, also make sure you don’t write off Perry Baker!”
RP: What are your medal predictions for this summer?
MF: “France in both the men’s and the women’s are contenders. But looking just at the women’s it’s going to be the likes of Australia and New Zealand that are pushing for gold. You also have Canada and of course us pushing this pack as well.
“The men's event is wide open, but I think we’re [USA] going to be a bolt out of the blue - we have the capability to cause absolute havoc.
“I know I have a biased mind, so I’ll also say you can look at teams like Argentina with their talent. As I say, France are a good team, especially if they can keep their heads - Dupont brings them confidence, and when confidence breeds through men, they can feel unstoppable.”
