Olympic Sevens Lead Up Thread

Australia's Rugby Sevens Pools announced for Paris Olympics

Mon, Jun 24, 2024, 6:29 AM
Nathan Williamson

The Paris 2024 Olympic pools for Rugby Sevens have been confirmed with both Australian sides drawn into Pool B.

It comes following the World Rugby Sevens Repechage competition in Monaco, with South Africa (men) and China (women) booking their spot as the final qualifiers.

Watch every Wallabies Test live and on-demand via Stan Sport.

The men will face SVNS League winners Argentina, Samoa, and Kenya in their pool.

John Manenti's side went down 14-5 against Los Pumas in Madrid at the start of the month.

The Aussies defeated Samoa in two out of their three clashes on the SVNS circuit, whilst Kenya won their way back onto the series through the Challenger series.

“There’s no easy games,” Manenti reflected to Rugby.com.au.

“Samoa have had a tough season but can still beat anyone on their day and will have players coming in from around the world.

“Kenya is Kenya and have 12 blokes that are six foot five and built like outhouses, play good foot and had a good weekend on the recent tour.

“We’re also playing Argentina who have been a top team for the last few years on the World Series so it’s going to be tough.”

Defending Olympic champions Fiji are drawn alongside SVNS champions Fiji, USA and Uruguay in Pool C whilst top-ranked New Zealand take on Ireland, South Africa and Japan in Pool A.

As for the Women, it's a familiar Pool as they face Ireland, Great Britain and debutants South Africa.

Tim Walsh's side have built a rivalry with the Irish since the start of the year when Ireland upset Australia on home soil in Perth.

Since then, they are undefeated against them, including a 33-14 win in Madrid.

Likewise, GB took down Australia in the group stages of Perth, but were hammered 44-0 in their last encounter in Singapore.

As for South Africa, they did not score against the Australians in the 2023-24 SVNS series, eventually eliminated from the world series.

Reigning Olympic Champions and SVNS League Winners New Zealand face Fiji, Canada and freshly qualified China in Pool A with hosts France, USA, Japan and Brazil rounding our Pool C.

Attached Images