Rio Olympic Sevens Womens August 6-8th Mens 9-11th

by **Rugby Fan** Wed 29 Jun 2016, 2:08 pm

First topic message reminder :

Men’s draw

Pool A: Fiji, USA, Argentina, Brazil

Pool B: South Africa, Australia, France, Spain

Pool C: New Zealand, Great Britain, Kenya, Japan

Women’s draw

Pool A: Australia, USA, Fiji, Colombia

Pool B: New Zealand, France, Spain, Kenya

Pool C: Canada, Great Britain, Brazil, Japan

Twelve teams start the tournament, and pool play reduces this to eight for a quarter final round. The top two teams automatically qualify, along with the two best losers.

In the Men's draw, Brazil, Spain and Japan look most likely to finish out of the running but Spain did beat Samoa, so a turn-up is very possible. NZ, Fiji and South Africa will almost certainly qualify, but the other team to miss the cut could be any of the other six

The quarter finals will match up as follows for both Mens and Womens:

Winner pool A vs Second best 3rd place finish
Runner-up pool B vs Runner-up pool C
Winner pool B vs Best 3rd place finish
Winner pool C vs Runner-up pool A

If you go by form, that could look something like this in the Mens:

Fiji vs Argentina
Australia vs Great Britain
South Africa vs Kenya
New Zealand vs USA

The quarters, semis and final will all be played on the 11th August.

by **Rugby Fan** Sat 06 Aug 2016, 4:15 pm

Natasha Hunt is GB's second Olympic try scorer. 14-3 lead

by **Rugby Fan** Sat 06 Aug 2016, 4:21 pm

Natasha Hunt just scored one of the easiest tries I've ever seen.

GB had a penalty close to Brazil's line and we fanned out to receive it. Brazil fanned out to defend, but forgot about Hunt, who played it to herself and virtually walked over unopposed.

We scored a 4th try while I was writing that.

by **Rugby Fan** Sat 06 Aug 2016, 4:23 pm

Five tries in the end, and a 29-3 win over the hosts. Easier than it looked at first.

by cakeordeath Sat 06 Aug 2016, 9:00 pm

I was going to watch the Japan game, but Clive Woodward and Eddie Butler.....oh f*ck no

by **Rugby Fan** Sun 07 Aug 2016, 12:50 am

cakeordeath wrote:I was going to watch the Japan game, but Clive Woodward and Eddie Butler.....oh f*ck no

Definitely not my sevens commentary dream team.

Team GB are through to the quarter-finals. We'll get an idea of what shape they are in after their last pool match against Canda, who are a real medal prospect. Australia looked impressive against Fiji, beating them 36-0. They aren't finding the favourites tag much of a burden.

by Mr Bounce Sun 07 Aug 2016, 11:30 am

I was very impressed by Canada. Their physicality and had work at the breakdown has shown they'll be no easy push-over. If GB can beat them, it'll be an excellent achievement and we shouldn't have to face the Aussies until the final I think? Could be a humdinger.

Love the speed of Jasmine Joyce and Emily Scott. Heather Fisher is coming back to her best although Emily Scarratt needs to up her game a bit as she's not been at her best. Plus Amy Wilson Hardy's a bit of a hottie heart

by lostinwales Sun 07 Aug 2016, 12:57 pm

Mr Bounce wrote:I was very impressed by Canada. Their physicality and had work at the breakdown has shown they'll be no easy push-over. If GB can beat them, it'll be an excellent achievement and we shouldn't have to face the Aussies until the final I think? Could be a humdinger.

Love the speed of Jasmine Joyce and Emily Scott. Heather Fisher is coming back to her best although Emily Scarratt needs to up her game a bit as she's not been at her best. Plus Amy Wilson Hardy's a bit of a hottie

http://sport-magazine.co.uk/features/sport-uncovered-amy-wilson-hardy

....

by **Rugby Fan** Sun 07 Aug 2016, 1:58 pm

For reference, the last Womens sevens world series finished

1. Australia - 94pts
2. NZ - 80 pts
3. Canada - 74 pts
4. England - 74 pts
5. France - 60 pts
6. USA - 46 pts

Australia have been head and shoulders above the others for a while. England would have been vying for second place overall but had a bad second round, where they finished seventh (losing to France and the USA along the way). Unfortunately, that was the round held in Brazil, so you'd hope there's no hangover.

England did win the round held in Canada, beating both Australia and NZ along the way, so we can beat the favourites. We did lose to Canada in the pool stage, however, and again in the final round in France, so we'll need to be at our best to have a chance at a medal.

by **Rugby Fan** Sun 07 Aug 2016, 4:53 pm

We just beat Canada 22-0 in our last pool match. Very comprehensive, given our recent record against them. The match showed just how much sevens can get away from you if things go wrong from early on. Canada were competitive but kept coughing up the ball, and gave away a silly try at the end of the first half.

by **Rugby Fan** Sun 07 Aug 2016, 5:46 pm

Well, USA are leading Australia 12-5 in the last pool match. I think we end up playing the runners up of this pool, so we don't really want Australia. USA already lost to Fiji, though, so I don't know how this group looks if they win.

by lostinwales Sun 07 Aug 2016, 5:47 pm

USA are gonna beat Oz. Interesting...

edit - or maybe not - but a draw is pretty impressive. The US no.12 is very good.

by **Rugby Fan** Sun 07 Aug 2016, 5:50 pm

Australia got a draw with the last play, so they will finish top of the pool. USA will be hoping they are one of the best 3rd place finishers.

by **Rugby Fan** Sun 07 Aug 2016, 5:56 pm

I think that means we have Fiji in the quarter finals but don't hold me to it.

by Mr Bounce Sun 07 Aug 2016, 6:02 pm

lostinwales wrote:
Mr Bounce wrote:I was very impressed by Canada. Their physicality and had work at the breakdown has shown they'll be no easy push-over. If GB can beat them, it'll be an excellent achievement and we shouldn't have to face the Aussies until the final I think? Could be a humdinger.

Love the speed of Jasmine Joyce and Emily Scott. Heather Fisher is coming back to her best although Emily Scarratt needs to up her game a bit as she's not been at her best. Plus Amy Wilson Hardy's a bit of a hottie

http://sport-magazine.co.uk/features/sport-uncovered-amy-wilson-hardy

....

Oof!

Very impressed with the pressure that GB put on Canada - they can't play without the ball. Emily Scarratt much better in this match. Bring on the quarter finals!

by Mr Bounce Sun 07 Aug 2016, 10:28 pm

Team GB now semi-finalists with a 26-7 win over Fiji. Well done girls!

Facing the winner of NZ & USA in the semi...

by **Rugby Fan** Sun 07 Aug 2016, 11:16 pm

Semi final line-ups

Australia vs Canada
NZ vs GB

Those are the same four sides which finished at the top of the last womens sevens series, so things have gone to form. The draw has worked out for us reasonably well, since Fiji were a lot easier to face than Australia or USA, who would have been the other potential opponents after winning our group.

Also, NZ are a marginally better opponent than Australia to have in the semis.

USA unlucky not to have held on to beat Australia in the pool games, and they looked good against NZ in the quarter final, but just couldn't get through.

by chris_501 Mon 08 Aug 2016, 9:21 am

Big improvement from the opening game where they looked a bit nervy.

New Zealand have impressed, especially with their quality of conversions in relation to GB.

GB seem to have some real pace both in the starting line up and off the bench, they'll need McClean and Richardson-Watmore to control the game well from midfield though!

by beshocked Mon 08 Aug 2016, 9:27 am

Woodward is awful, just looks like he's taken the paycheque, half hearted lazy commentary, making mistakes.

Saying that GB shouldn't kick the ball, conveniently forgetting they scored a cracking try vs Fiji with that tactic. Not saying that Fiji should kick the ball straight out, just before half time, very foolish as GB got a gift wrapped try just before half time.

GB women's team has done well so far, look very organised and well prepared. It's as if they are a team that's played together before..... Wink

Abbie Brown heart

Everyone's contributed - it's been a real squad performance so far.

Physically very strong and the opposition have coughed up the ball quite a bit.

by **RDW** Mon 08 Aug 2016, 9:29 am

Given that Woodword hasn't had any rugby involvement for a while, never mind 7s involvement, it is no surprise that he's completely out of touch!

by beshocked Mon 08 Aug 2016, 9:35 am

It's not surprising agreed but surely someone better could have been found, nice pun by the way.

by **RDW** Mon 08 Aug 2016, 9:43 am

Ha, didn't even notice that myself!

by **LondonTiger** Mon 08 Aug 2016, 9:51 am

Clive Woodward wrote:The Team GB team started like a team that had not played as a team, which is strange as they are a team. now the Team GB team look like a team that has played as a team together. a real team performance by the Team GB team.

by Allty Mon 08 Aug 2016, 11:00 am

I didnt think I would enjoy the ladies 7's but its been great.

by propdavid_london Mon 08 Aug 2016, 1:39 pm

LT - that must go down as one of the best. Right up there with kind of thing De Villiers was spouting in his prime.

GB women were poor in their first game, but considering the remarkably high % of England women in the squad they cant really be blaming poor preparation. I think its more like 1st game nerves and the occasion - and playing a pretty hostile crowd for their game against home nation. Nerves now settled and they are looking better each game.

Australia are still the team to beat - looking very strong.
NZ are beatable - USA did remarkably well in the 1/4 finals and could have sneaked a win if their attack was a bit more incisive.

I think there will be 2 excellent semi finals tonight.

by **George Carlin** Mon 08 Aug 2016, 2:14 pm

I can't bear to look but I am assuming that the Sun has run its standard useful feature on which of the GB womens' rugby team is the most attractive in their underwear, pausing only briefly to mention that this is just like mens' rugby, but obviously not as good as there are girls involved.

by **Rugby Fan** Mon 08 Aug 2016, 7:01 pm

Canada had a go but Australia were just too good, and won the first semi-final. I think the final score was 17-5.

by **Rugby Fan** Mon 08 Aug 2016, 7:09 pm

Disaster for GB. 10-7 down and two yellow cards.

by **Rugby Fan** Mon 08 Aug 2016, 7:11 pm

First yellow was for pulling a player back without the ball, the second was for tackling in the air. We'll play with five against seven for almost a full two minutes.

by WELL-PAST-IT Mon 08 Aug 2016, 7:12 pm

if you give YC for that, everytime a player comes into potential contact, they just have to jump. It was not as if she was hanging under a high ball it had bounced.

by beshocked Mon 08 Aug 2016, 7:13 pm

Thought the 2nd yellow was unfair because the NZ lady seemed to jump in the air for no real reason.

by **Rugby Fan** Mon 08 Aug 2016, 7:15 pm

Four and a half minutes to pull back a 7-20 deficit.

by beshocked Mon 08 Aug 2016, 7:16 pm

Did Clive just call NZ Australia? I thought he did.

by **Rugby Fan** Mon 08 Aug 2016, 7:18 pm

GB back to full complement but NZ scored again, so we are destined for the bronze medal play-off.

by WELL-PAST-IT Mon 08 Aug 2016, 7:19 pm

Now that was worthy of a YC, elbow to the face

by beshocked Mon 08 Aug 2016, 7:20 pm

Very poor performance from GB. Such a disappointment after how well they did vs Canada and Fiji.

by beshocked Mon 08 Aug 2016, 7:21 pm

Agree well past it. Abbie Brown lucky not to get a YC.

by Seagultaf Mon 08 Aug 2016, 9:56 pm

beshocked wrote:Thought the 2nd yellow was unfair because the NZ lady seemed to jump in the air for no real reason.

It would be interesting to hear an experienced refs view of that. Whilst it is clearly against the Laws of the game to tackle a player whose feet are off the ground, I thought that to jump into a tackle, which is what the NZ player did, is also not allowed. In which case should that have been a penalty to GB?

First yellow was just stupid play!

by No 7&1/2 Mon 08 Aug 2016, 10:01 pm

No law which states you can't jump before/into a tackle but clarity or a new rule is needed as refs aren't being consistant.

by **Rugby Fan** Mon 08 Aug 2016, 11:20 pm

Ah well, it all ended on a low note. Canada have been more consistent than England/GB this year but we made them look better. than they are.

Final on now.

by **Rugby Fan** Mon 08 Aug 2016, 11:55 pm

Australia take the first rugby gold medal with a 24-17 win over NZ.

In the end, the first four places mirrored this season's series standings but GB will feel they fell short of the occasion.

Perhaps the most disappointed team will be USA. That early loss to Fiji n the pool stages cost them dearly because it pitched them against NZ in the quarter finals. They ended up with a draw against the gold medal winners, and a narrow loss to the silver medal winners, but go home empty-handed with an official 5th place finish.

by TJ Tue 09 Aug 2016, 9:36 am

I have to say I enjoyed the 7s a lot. GB did rather self destruct tho with the yellow cards. I agee the second one was a bit tricky as did the player jump for the ball or jump into the tackle? The GB player had little option as the attacker would have landed on her did she merely stand still. I suppose it ends up as " did she put the player down safely" which she did not.

by beshocked Tue 09 Aug 2016, 10:05 am

Didn't watch the bronze medal game but sounds like GB self destructed again.

TJ I don't think the lady jumped for the ball, I think she was already holding onto it. Maybe the GB player could have let her land but with the try line right there it's not surprising she didn't.

Seagulftaf I agree. Probably penalty to GB. Also agree that the 1st YC was well deserved for stupid play.

by propdavid_london Tue 09 Aug 2016, 10:10 am

I thought that was an awful performance from team GB - Katy Mclean and Heather Fisher didn't show up for the whole tournament.
I am not sure what the coach 'Simon Middleton' was telling team GB - but its a fast game and you need to ship the ball to the wings as soon as possible to give the speedsters a chance. There was too much cutting back inside and trying to truck it up the middle and getting no change from a stern Canadian defence - as with every game be it 15s or 7s there needs to be a plan B if it starts going wrong.
Well done Canada - looks like you did your homework and executed a plan to get the job done.

by **RDW** Tue 09 Aug 2016, 10:12 am

Canada were a lot more physical and the GB defence was very passive - they will be disappointed with the 2nd half of the tournament for sure.

by **Rugby Fan** Tue 09 Aug 2016, 2:40 pm

The mens tournament starts in half an hour.

First up is Australia vs France, which could produce an early upset. Team GB are third on today's bill with a match against Kenya. Lose that one, and we may have to depend on other results to give us a best third place qualification.

A lot of the games in the men's pools ought to be competitive, even allowing for the presence of Brazil and Japan.

by whocares Tue 09 Aug 2016, 3:10 pm

17-0 for France at HT - so far so good RF!

by **Rugby Fan** Tue 09 Aug 2016, 3:11 pm

France look great whocares. I'd like to see them beat Australia but it does mess up the permutations later...

by **Rugby Fan** Tue 09 Aug 2016, 3:14 pm

Different game in the second half as Australia score two quick tries.

by whocares Tue 09 Aug 2016, 3:15 pm

Australia scored 2 tries a bit too easily at the start of the 2H - 17-14 now - have a bad feeling.

by **Rugby Fan** Tue 09 Aug 2016, 3:19 pm

Fantastic passage of play gives France a ten point lead with the clock running down.

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