So far the decision to include Sevens at the Olympics has been completely justified, and Japan’s remarkable story plays a significant part in that being the case. “Getting to the Olympics in itself is an achievement but to knock out New Zealand along the way is pretty special”.
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South Africa completed the quartet of nations who will play off for the first medals to be awarded in men’s rugby for 92 years today after beating Australia 22-5 in the only quarter-final victory that could be described as comfortable.
New Zealand were in danger of going out but qualified after Fiji’s 24-19 win over the United States of America, and the All Black Sevens will play Fiji in the last eight.
Lemeki had little explanation for Japan’s giant-killing run. Lemeki said that victory helped inspire the team, but he didn’t realize just how much. “The team have achieved momentum and I want us to preserve that in our preparations”. “So I don’t know what’s happened here”.
Seabelo Senatla scored a brace as South Africa dominated Australia, who’d beaten them in pool play earlier in the day, to set up an intriguing semi-final against a British side growing in confidence with every game.
“How Japan finished at the World Cup was really a big boost for Japan rugby and really lifted rugby in Japan”, he said. “They talk to us”.
Diana Taurasi and her US teammates knew they’d be in for a test against Serbia. He has played for the Honda Heat since past year.
They came to Rio under no pressure and have surpassed their Narrabeen hosts.
Japan maintained their excellent form, defeating Kenya 31-7 in their final pool match to guarantee a quarter-final place as runners-up.
The Japanese are the great shock of the Sevens tournament at Rio 2016. We’re not supposed to be good at it.
They will not hear from him on the phone.
By contrast, the footballers’ fortune in qualifying for the Games turned into a nightmare as they begin a long journey home having conceded 23 times in three matches in Brazil.
It’s Japan and Fiji which are on a collision course to provide the most heartwarming gold medal at the Rio Games for very different reasons.
Britain’s Mark Robertson, right, is challenged by New Zealand’s Sione Molia, left, and teammate Lewis Ormond What time does the semi-final kick-off?
“Silver or bronze won’t cut it”. That’s just the way it is.
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Team GB are capable of winning, but are going to have to produce their best. We thought, if we keep on moving the ball around, the big guys will tire somewhere and eventually they did.. But it’s the opposite. “They’ve done it throughout these couple of days on the field”.
