Rugby Sevens has expanded globally since its 2016 Olympic debut, with the upcoming tournament at Stade de France featuring strong contenders like France, New Zealand, and Fiji in the men's, and New Zealand and Australia in the women's events.
PARIS, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Since making its debut at the Rio Olympics in 2016, Rugby Sevens has grown as a competition, distinct from the more internationally recognized 15-a-side game. Known for its speed and physicality, sevens has opened the door to more countries outside the traditional rugby-playing nations that dominate rugby union, such as Kenya, Brazil and China.
Both the men's and women's tournaments feature three pools of four teams, with the top two of each group and the two best third-place teams qualifying for the quarterfinals.
The event will be hosted at France's 80,000-seater national stadium Stade de France in the northern Parisian suburb of St. Denis, and will run from July 24 to 30.
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The men's tournament is likely to draw most of the attention due to the inclusion of the world's best XVs player Antoine Dupont in the French squad. The scrum-half, who is often compared to Lionel Messi due to his natural ability and short stature, is one of the most famous athletes in France. While Dupont's game-changing abilities draw the spotlight, the rest of the France team is also immense. After winning the nation's first-ever World Series title in the seven-a-side game, hopes for a home gold could not be higher.
Waiting in the wings, however, are the equally gifted New Zealand and Fiji sides.
Ruling out the All Blacks is impossible. From a rugby nation that lives and breathes the sport, the well-oiled All Black machine will not be expecting anything less than gold.
Meanwhile, defending Olympic champions Fiji have struggled to maintain the form that won them gold three years ago. This season's World Sevens series saw the Pacific nation fall to a shocking sixth place overall, but with a team full of world-level talent, Fiji has the ability to win any tournament on any day.
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The women's tournament looks to be a toss-up between Antipodean neighbors New Zealand and Australia.
This season's World Series saw New Zealand and Australia win six of the seven events, with New Zealand claiming the final four tournaments of the season. That late-season form will be crucial for the All Blacks to carry forward in Paris.
The one mark against New Zealand was their disappointing bronze finish in the finals, which was eventually won by Australia. If New Zealand are to secure a gold place finish, they will have to improve in high-pressure situations, and the Olympic stage is perhaps where that pressure is most acute.
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While the tournament has its clear favorites, the chaotic nature of Sevens rugby means that many teams have the ability to upset any nation on their day.
China's women's team, the country's sole representative, will believe that they have a chance to qualify for the quarterfinals. Despite being drawn in a group alongside New Zealand, their other opponents Fiji and Canada present a good opportunity to claim two memorable wins and a shot in the knockout rounds and maybe a medal.
Meanwhile, in the men's draw, Argentina, fresh off the back of their surprising second place in the World Series, have been drawn in the relatively tame Pool B with Samoa, Kenya, and a diminished Australia. Their recent late tournament rugby has been superb, and they will see an opportunity to claim a shocking gold. ■