By Iliesa Tora, RNZ Pacific senior sports journalist
The Fijiana women’s sevens rugby team have lost both pool matches at the Paris Olympics today and look set to miss the quarterfinals in the process.
Bronze medallists at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Fijians lost 17-14 to Canada in their first pool game.
China then handed the Fijians an upset 40-12 thrashing.
These results means Fijiana must beat New Zealand and hope to progress as one of the two best third place teams.
China displayed Fiji’s own style of play, throwing the ball around, taking the tackles and still off-loading and put on a strong defensive display when they pressure Fiji.
FBC Sports said the contribution of former coaches Osea Kolinisau and Setefano Cakau was evident in how China played.
Kolinisau and Cakau are currently coaching the Fiji men’s team and had stints as coaches with the Chinese in 2021-2022.
NZ connections
China now has the services of former New Zealand sevens rep Rocky Khan and longtime New Zealand 7s mentor Sir Gordon Tietjens.
Pool matches will continue on Tuesday, with Fiji taking on New Zealand in their third and final pool game.
Hosts France, the USA, New Zealand and Australia have recorded two wins each so far and are now confirmed for the quarterfinals.
France did not concede a point in their two games so far.
A record crowd of 66,000 fans packed into Stade de France to set a new record for a women’s rugby event.
World Rugby says that beats the previous record of 58,498 at Twickenham for England v France in 2023.
Australia’s Maddison Levi scored an incredible sevens tries in two matches to take her Olympic total to 10.
Australia got off to a flying start against South Africa in their opener, winning 34-5.
They took on Great Britain in their second outing, coming out with a 36-5 victory.
Great Britain, however, will head into day two second in the pool after they beat Ireland 21-12 in their opening game.
Strong USA start
USA got their Olympic campaign off to a strong start as they defeated Japan 36-7 in Pool C.
A 24-5 win against Brazil in their second game took them into day two unbeaten, with a showdown against France to decide the pool in store.
Hosts France thrilled the boisterous home crowd by also ending the day unbeaten after convincing wins against Brazil and Japan without conceding a point.
They won 26-0 in their opener against the South Americans before a bombarding performance against Japan ended 49-0 in their favour, scoring seven tries on their way to the Pool C summit.
World Rugby chair Sir Bill Beaumont said “after a scintillating men’s competition at these special coming of age Games for Rugby Sevens”:
“It is fitting that yet another record has been smashed. With the world’s best women’s sevens players shining brightly on sport’s biggest stage, 66,000 fans were gripped by the action, while an unprecedented broadcast and digital audience will ensure that more young people in more nations and communities will be inspired by these awesome athletes, who are amongst the best in the world in sport.”
Seeking a medal
Australia captain Charlotte Caslick says they want to win a medal this time around, having missed out on Tokyo in 2020.
“It is a part of sport that it brings highs and lows. But we have achieved a lot since then so we have definitely moved on and are really looking forward to this campaign. That loss in Tokyo has really helped us to grow.
“We have a lot of girls coming back after injuries. We just have to keep doing what we do, to keep performing. We don’t do it for recognition, we do it because we love each other and we love this sport. Hopefully, if we’re successful here we’ll go a long way.”
New Zealand captain Sarah Hirini, making a return from injury, says she is excited for her team’s chances.
“It means a lot. It’s been a tough journey but I’m so grateful to the people around me to get me back to this point. I’m so happy to be back with the team and on the big stage.
“I’m so proud to be back representing my family, everyone back in New Zealand. Wearing this black jersey means everything. It gives you superpowers.
“It has such a legacy and it’s one of the most powerful tools we can hold on to for a set amount of time. And when the time comes you give it to the next person.”
Women’s sevens rugby results from Day One:
China 40 Fiji 7
France 49 Japan 0
USA 24 Brazil 5
Australia 36 Great Britain 5
Ireland 38 South Africa 0
New Zealand 43 China 5
Canada 17 Fiji 14
France 26 Brazil 0
USA 36 Japan 7
Australia 34 South Africa 5
Great Britain 21 Ireland 12
New Zealand 33 Canada 7
One silver for Team Pasifika
The Fiji men’s sevens team has recorded the only medal so far for Team Pasifika.
They won silver in the competition, following their 28-7 final loss to France on Sunday morning (NZ time).
Meanwhile, Fijian captain Jerry Tuwai has apologised to Fijian fans for the final loss, saying they had let fans down because they had aimed to win the gold medal again.
Speaking at the post match press conference, Tuwai said France was just too good.
“I just want to thank the fans back home for the support and the prayers, we would like to apologize for falling short to a very good French side, they deserve it, thanks very much for the support through the years and we’ll see you back home,” he said.
Head coach Osea Kolinisau added to that and said they will now focus on the HSBC SVNS Series, which kicks off later this year.
In other sports:
PNG and Tonga fail in boxing
Papua New Guinea’s John Ume is out of the Paris Olympics after he was beaten in his preliminary bout on Sunday morning (NZ Time).
Team PNG said Ume, who fought in the men’s 63.5 kg category, lost to Cuba’s Erislandy Alvarez Borges.
Borges stopped Ume in the second round.
Team PNG said Ume was an inspiration.
“John received the call to join the team just seven days before his bout, following an unfortunate injury to a boxer from Solomon Islands,” Team PNG said in a statement.
“Despite not being in peak form due to the unexpected nature of his invitation, John answered the call with pride and courage. John faced the formidable Cuban athlete Erislandy Alvarez Borges in his Olympic debut.
“Alvarez, a highly accomplished boxer with a silver medal from the 2023 World Championships and an undefeated professional record, proved to be a tough opponent.
“John fought valiantly, showcasing the spirit and tenacity that define Team PNG. However, in the second round, the referee stopped the match, awarding the victory to Alvarez.
“John’s participation in the Olympics, despite the short notice, is a testament to his resilience and dedication.”
Team PNG added that despite the outcome, Ume’s participation in Paris 2024 has made his country proud.
“Team PNG stands proud of John’s remarkable effort and unwavering resilience on the Olympic stage.”
And Tongan female boxer Fe’ofa’aki Epenisa also lost her first fight.
Aki, the island kingdom’s first female boxer to fight at the Games, could not upset Vietnam’s Thi Linh Ha in the women’s 60 kg category.
Linh won the fight 5-0 on the scorecards.
ONOC says the USA based boxer fought well and tried her best, which was not enough to get her into the next stage.
Boxing continues tomorrow, with gold medal finals also on the programme.
Swimmers hit the pool
Pacific Island swimmers at the Paris Olympics have been in action in the pool over the first two days of competition.
ONOC says the list included Lanihei Connolly of the Cook Islands in the women’s 100m Breaststroke Preliminary heats..
Connolly competed in Heat 2, finishing her race with a time of 1 minute 10.45 seconds.
Tonga’s Alan Uhi swam in the men’s 100m Backstroke, finishing with a time of 1 minute 0.62 seconds.
The Tonga Association of National Olympic Committee commended Uhi’s performance.
“Our youngest Olympian to Paris 2024 swam in the first Heat of the men’s 100m backstroke at the Paris La Defense Arena!
“Great attempt at your first Olympic appearance, certainly won’t be your last!”
FSM’s Tasi Limtiaco completed his 100m Breaststroke event in 1 minute :4.14 seconds.
American Samoa’s Micah Masei competed in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke, finishing third in his heat with a time of 1 minute 05.95 seconds.
Swimming continues tomorrow.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
