Tokyo Olympics: Men’s Sevens Preview

Opening up the Rugby Sevens at the Tokyo Olympics are the Men, who begin on Monday morning local time, Sunday evening in the Americas. A dozen teams have qualified with squads of 13 players each at their disposal. The pandemic and uncertainty surrounding the event sees less global stars involved but there is a good mix of established names and up-and-comers.

CBC Sports has the rights for Canada, with NBC and their digital channel Peacock broadcasting in the USA. Those in Latin America can watch on Claro Sports with the exception of Brazil, where TV Globo are the presenters. Sportsmax will air the games in the Caribbean islands.

 

POOL A

Los Pumas have been drawn in a very challenging pool alongside both Australia and New Zealand. Veterans Gaston Revol and Matias Osadczuk are supported by rising stars Marcos Moneta and Lucio Cinti. Among their notable opponents are Wallabies center Samu Kerevi and Sevens Series legend Tim Mikkelson. Former Seawolves utility Andre Coquillard will play a prominent role for South Korea.

Argentina: Santiago Álvarez (capt.), Lautaro Bazán Vélez, Lucio Cinti, Felipe Del Mestre, Rodrigo Etchart, Luciano González Rizzoni, Rodrigo Isgro, Santiago Mare, Ignacio Mendy, Marcos Moneta, Matías Osadczuk, Gastón Revol, Germán Schulz

Australia: Lachie Anderson, Josh Coward, Lewis Holland, Henry Hutchison, Samu Kerevi, Nathan Lawson, Maurice Longbottom, Nick Malouf (capt.), Lachlan Miller, Dylan Pietsch, Joe Pincus, Dietrich Roache, Josh Turner

New Zealand: Kurt Baker, Dylan Collier, Scott Curry (co-capt.), Andrew Knewstubb, Ngarohi McGarvey-Black, Tim Mikkelson (co-capt.), Sione Molia, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Tone Ng Shiu, Amanaki Nicole, William Warbrick, Regan Ware, Joe Webber

South Korea: Yong Heung Chang, Seong Deok Choi, Andre Coquillard, Kun Kyu Han, Jeong Min Jang, Seong Min Jang, Yeon Sik Jeong, Gwong Min Kim, Hyun Soo Kim, Nam Uk Kim, Jin Kyu Lee, Seong Bae Lee, Wan Yong Park (capt.)

 

POOL B

There are no easy games for Canada with defending champions Fiji, 2016 finalists Great Britain, and home heroes Japan all lined up. Nathan Hirayama is unquestionably the star but look out the shifty Theo Sauder and workhorse Phil Berna to make their mark. Bristol phenom Semi Radradra brings world class talent to the Fijians while the two Dan’s Bibby and Norton headline the Brits. Japan are a mix of young and old with former New Zealand Sevens rep Colin Bourke switching allegience.

Canada: Phil Berna, Connor Braid, Andrew Coe, Justin Douglas, Mike Fuailefau, Lucas Hammond, Nathan Hirayama (co-capt.), Harry Jones (co-capt.), Pat Kay, Matt Mullins, Theo Sauder, Jake Thiel, Conor Trainor

Fiji: Napolioni Bolaca, Vilimoni Botitu, Meli Derenalagi, Sireli Maqala, Iosefo Masi, Waisea Nacuqu, Kalione Nasoko, Semi Radradra, Aminiasi Tuimaba, Asaeli Tuivuaka, Jerry Tuwai (capt.), Josua Vakurinabili, Jiuta Wainiqolo

Great Britain: Dan Bibby, Tom Bowen, Alec Coombes, Alex Davis, Robbie Fergusson, Harry Glover, Ben Harris, Ollie Lindsay-Hague, Ross McCann, Max McFarland, Tom Mitchell (capt.), Dan Norton, Ethan Waddleton

Japan: Colin Bourke, Yoshikazu Fujita, Kazuhiro Goya, Kazushi Hano, Masakatsu Hikosaka, Kippei Ishida, Ryota Kano, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Chihito Matsui (capt.), Naoki Motomura, Jose Seru, Kameli Soejima, Lote Tuqiri

 

POOL C

The Eagles are in a competitive but winnable pool with South Africa their biggest threat. Despite losing Ben Pinkelman on the eve of the tournament the USA are still medal contenders with Martin Iosefo looming as a game breaker. The Blitzboks do not feature as many household names this time around with Justin Geduld and Branco du Preez the key playmakers. Kenya are looking to veterans Willy Ambaka and Collins Injera to return to old glory, while final qualifiers Ireland have speed in Jordon Conroy and stretnch in LA Giltinis flanker Harry McNulty.

Ireland: Jordan Conroy, Billy Dardis (capt.), Ian Fitzpatrick, Foster Horan, Jack Kelly, Terry Kennedy, Adam Leavy, Hugo Lennox, Harry McNulty, Bryan Mollen, Gavin Mullin, Greg O’Shea, Mark Roche

Kenya: Eden Agero, Willy Ambaka, Andrew Amonde (capt.), Herman Humwa, Collins Injera, Billy Odhiambo, Jacob Ojee, Johnstone Olindi, Jeffrey Oluoch, Vincent Onyala, Alvin Otieno, Nelson Oyoo, Daniel Taabu

South Africa: Ronald Brown, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Angelo Davids, Selvyn Davids, Zain Davids, Chris Dry, Branco du Preez, Stedman Gans, Justin Geduld, Sako Makata, JC Pretorius, Siviwe Soyizwapi (capt.), Impi Visser

USA: Perry Baker, Danny Barrett, Maceo Brown, Madison Hughes (capt.), Martin Iosefo, Carlin Isles, Matai Leuta, Cody Melphy, Folau Niua, Joe Schroeder, Brett Thompson, Stephen Tomasin, Kevon Williams

 

POOL STAGE FIXTURES

SUNDAY, JULY 25

PT ET POOL TEAM 1 TEAM 2
17:00 20:00 B Fiji Japan
17:30 20:30 B Great Britain Canada
18:00 21:00 A New Zealand South Korea
18:30 21:30 A Australia Argentina
19:00 22:00 C South Africa Ireland
19:30 22:30 C USA Kenya

MONDAY, JULY 26

00:30 03:30 B Great Britain Japan
01:00 04:00 B Fiji Canada
01:30 04:30 A New Zealand Argentina
02:00 05:00 A Australia South Korea
02:30 05:30 C USA Ireland
03:00 06:00 C South Africa Kenya

MONDAY, JULY 26

17:00 20:00 B Canada Japan
17:30 20:30 B Fiji Great Britain
18:00 21:00 A Argentina South Korea
18:30 21:30 A New Zealand Australia
19:00 22:00 C Kenya Ireland
19:30 22:30 C South Africa USA

 

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Formally created in June 2015, this website's goal is to increase media exposure of the Tier 2 rugby nations, and create a hub with a focus on the stories of rugby in the Americas - North, Central and South.

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