The Rugby Sevens is set to kick off the Olympics as the action gets underway at the Stade de France.
Australia started their campaign with a 21-14 win over Samoa, with Henry Hutchison getting a double
Watch every Rugby Sevens match from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games ad-free, live and on demand in 4K on Stan Sport and live on Nine and 9Now.
John Manenti’s side will follow this with a clash against Kenya (3:00 am) as they hunt for a perfect start to their day.
In other clashes on day one, Ireland takes on qualifiers South Africa whilst two-time champions Fiji will face the USA.
Follow a recap of all the action game by game:12:30 am – France 5 v USA 7
As expected, the French get a rousing reception as the hosts’ Olympic campaign gets underway.
Points early for the hosts as Jordan Sepho touches down but it’s America with the lead as Lucas Lacamp put the USA in front
12:20 am – Argentina 31 v Kenya 12
Huge boos for Argentina as they run out to a packed Stade de France, with Kenya using the energy to score first and take a 7-5 lead at the break
But Argentina are one of the favourites for a reason as they strolled away in the second half.
Agustin Fraga scored a double as Marcos Moneta capped his return with a try for a comfortable 31-12 win
11:50 pm – Australia 21 v Samoa 14
Australia have started their campaign with victory, taking down Samoa 21-14.
Samoa caught the Aussies napping early with an intercept try before Henry Hutchison kicked Australia to the win.
He scored twice at the end of either half to ensure a perfect start despite a late Samoa try
14′: Samoa strike after the bell via Faafoi Falaniko for what could be a crucial try for their campaignย Australia 21-14
13′:ย AUSTRALIA TRY:ย The Henrys combine as Paterson finds Hutchison for the game sealerย Australia 21-7
11′:ย AUSTRALIA TRY:ย Nathan Lawson steams down the sidelines as the Aussies hit the frontย Australia 14-7
10′: An excellent tackle from Ben Dowling stops Samoa and earns Australia the penalty
7′:ย AUSTRALIA TRY:ย Henry Hutchison strikes back as they take advantage of a Samoan errorย 7-all
5′: Australia trying to overcome a nervous start as they can’t find a way through Samoa
2′:ย SAMOA TRY:ย Motu Opetai snatches an intercept and races 60 metres to score under the postsย Samoa 7-0
11:00 pm – Australia confirm starting side v Samoa
John Manenti has locked in his starting side to face Samoa, with flyer Corey Toole thrown straight into the action.
Toole is joined in the backs by Ben Dowling, Dietrich Roache and Maurice Longbottom.
Nick Malouf captains the side in the forward trio with vice captain Henry Hutchison and Nathan Lawson completing the run-on side.
Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase, Henry Paterson, Matt Gonzalez, Hayden Sargeant and James Turner provide impact off the bench
10:30 pm – A jersey presentation to remember
Before they kickoff, check out Australia’s official jersey presentation before they commence their Olympic campaign at the Australian embassy.
The embassy has one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower, just metres away as players got to soak up the moment with friends and family.
Side note: The jerseys with the Indigenous design on the sleeves are one of the best out there.
10:00 pm – Fixtures
For those either just waking up or staying up, here is your slate of fixtures for the first day of Rugby Sevens.
Wednesday July 24
Pool B: Australia v Samoa, 11:30 pm
Thursday July 25
Pool B: Argentina v Kenya, 12:00 am
Pool C: France v USA, 12:30 am
Pool C: Fiji v Uruguay, 1:00 am
Pool A: Ireland v South Africa, 1:30 am
Pool A: New Zealand v Japan, 2:00 am
Pool B: Australia v Kenya, 3:00 am
Pool B: Argentina v Samoa, 3:30 am
Pool C: France v Uruguay, 4:00 am
Pool C: Fiji v USA, 4:30 am
Pool A: Ireland v Japan, 5:00 am
Pool A: New Zealand v South Africa, 5:30 am
9:00 pm – Welcome
Hello and welcome to Rugby.com.au’s Live Blog for the opening day of Olympic action for the Rugby Sevens.
The Aussie men will be the first of the 460-strong green and gold contingency that will compete in the 2024 Olympics in just over two hours.
There are some great match-ups in the opening slate of games at the Stade de France.
Ireland-South Africa is a great match almost nine months on from their World Cup thriller in the 15s but don’t sleep on USA-France as the hosts get their tournament underway against the team that beat them in Singapore.
Get the coffee/Red Bull ready as the Olympics get underway two days before the opening ceremony.
WHEN DO AUSTRALIA PLAY IN THE RUGBY SEVENS OLYMPIC GAMES?
The Men’s Sevens side will take the field in their opening Olympic game against Samoa on July 24 (11:30 pm) at Stade de France.
This will be followed by a clash with Kenya (3:00 am) before taking on Argentina (July 25, 10:30 pm)
As for the Women, they open their campaign against South Africa on July 29 (midnight).
They face Great Britain (3:30 am) and Ireland (10:30 pm) to finish their pool stages.
WHAT CHANNEL IS AUSTRALIA’S RUGBY SEVENS OLYMPIC GAMES ON?
Australia’s Rugby Sevens campaign will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport and the Nine Network.
Every Rugby Sevens match from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be shown ad-free, live and on-demand in 4K on Stan Sport.
Along with this, the Nine Network will have two dedicated free-to-air channels that will show several Olympic sports, including the Rugby Sevens, along with on 9Now
HOW TO WATCH THE PARIS OLYMPICS RUGBY SEVENS?
The Nine Network and Stan Sport has exclusive rights to broadcast every event of the Paris Olympics in Australia.
Every Rugby Sevens match from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be shown ad-free, live and on-demand in 4K on Stan Sport.
Along with this, the Nine Network will have two dedicated free-to-air channels that will show several Olympic sports, including the Rugby Sevens, along with on 9Now.
