Paris 2024 Olympic Games live coverage: Australia flag bearer named, Rugby 7s starts
The men’s Rugby 7s team has kicked off Australia’s Paris Olympic campaign in style, with two wins on the first day of competition against Samoa and Kenya.
The Australia men’s Rugby Sevens side made a flying start to their Paris campaign with two wins on the opening day of their competition but they now face a crunch game against Argentina as they look to avoid host nation France or the flying Fijians in the quarter finals.
The men kicked off their Olympics with a 21-14 win over Samoa at a raucous State Francais and then backed it up with a 21-7 win over Kenya, leaving coach John Manenti pleased with his side’s start to the tournament.
Things could quickly get ugly, however, should Australia lose to Argentina in their final pool game given it would mean a likely quarterfinal against France or Fiji.
“If we get France, there’s a bit of pressure and expectation on them,” Manenti said.
“We’ll worry about them if or when we get to play them. It was amazing going out there this morning and there wasn’t a person in the crowd, then we went out to play and it was full.
“It was like ‘where did that come from’. It’s an amazing atmosphere out there. I was out there when France ran on and the noise was deafening - as it should be.
“They’re at home, they have a great side and they’re contending for a medal. It’s what makes this tournament special, to be honest.”
The Australians conceded the opening try against Samoa but were largely untroubled after that, leaving Manenti confident they were heading in the right direction.
“Ultimately we are two wins from two wins,” Manenti said.
“People can look at Samoa and Kenya and say one thing or another about them but they are big physical sides who play power games.
“We did really well to stay with them at times.”
Australia face Argentina at 9:30pm AEST on Thursday.
The success on the field followed a joyous day for the entire Australian Olympic team after long-serving Olympians Jess Fox and Eddie Ockenden were named flag bearers for the opening ceremony.
Australian chef de mission Anna Meares announced the duo to much fanfare at the Paris Mint earlier in the day.
Relive the day’s action below
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