Sports
Australia Kicks Off Olympic Rugby Sevens with Excitement
The Rugby Sevens tournament kicked off at the Olympics and all eyes were on the action at the Stade de France. Australia initiated their campaign with a hard-fought 21-14 victory over Samoa, where Henry Hutchison was a standout, scoring two tries.
Australia’s coach, John Manenti, made just one change in the lineup for their next match against Kenya, bringing James Turner in for Corey Toole. The squad is eager to maintain their momentum throughout the tournament.
New Zealand set the bar high earlier in the day with a commanding 40-12 win against Japan, highlighted by a strong performance from Akuila Rokolisoa who bagged a double. Fehi Fineanganofo also made his mark with two tries right before halftime.
The Irish team edged out South Africa with a narrow 10-5 victory, with Jordan Conroy scoring the crucial first try, followed by another from Terry Kennedy. South Africa, known for their power, were late to respond but couldn’t secure the comeback.
Fiji, the defending champions, made an impressive statement with a 40-12 triumph over Uruguay, taking control of the game early with Joji Nasova scoring twice. Their swift play proved too much for Uruguay to handle, showcasing their title defense intentions.
The host nation, France, fought hard against the USA, but the match ended in a surprising 12-12 draw. Both teams exchanged leads, with the USA managing to secure a tie against a very determined French side.
Argentina faced a rocky start against Kenya, trailing 7-5 at halftime. However, the Argentinians showcased their skill and determination in the second half to secure a comfortable 31-12 win.
In their first match, Australia initially struggled when Samoa scored an intercept try thanks to Motu Opetai. However, Hutchison’s ability to respond quickly with two tries ensured that Australia came out on top despite a late effort from Samoa.
As the Olympic excitement builds, many fans are looking forward to more thrilling matches over the next few days as teams continue to battle for glory.