Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
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 |
