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.
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One of the big reasons New Zealand failed so spectacularly was their opening loss to a Japan team that have taken the tournament by storm.
In a dramatic day’s rugby at the Deodoro Stadium, the Fijians, led superbly by playmaker Osea Kolinisau, held on at the death for a 12-7 victory over the Kiwis, who had scraped into the quarters by a solitary point on points difference from the United States. Nate Ebner scored a 40-metre try in the final minute to get within five points of the top seeds but his skipper Madison Hughes was unable to convert and the Americans, champions at the last Olympic rugby tournament in 1924, were out.
“As of yesterday, they know who we are”.
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.
The world No.15-ranked Japanese were only supposed to be making up the numbers but upset 12-time world series champions New Zealand, Kenya and lastly France – with a thrilling last-gasp try in the quarter-final – to be the most unlikely semi-finalist in global rugby history.
France’s quarter-final place as runners-up was confirmed after Australia handed South Africa their first defeat, 12-5, thanks to tries from Jesse Parahi and Tom Cusack.
With the prospect of winning the first men’s Olympic medals in 92 years adding extra motivation there was no sign of the morning session’s drama relenting.
The Japanese followed that up with a narrow 21-19 loss to Britain and win on Wednesday over Kenya before a 12-7 quarterfinal win over France.
“We’d like to have all our great players at the Olympics to try win the gold medal but that’s not guaranteed either and we still want to win test matches and that’s not guaranteed”.
Kolinisau brings a reverence to the game which Ryan said he admires, and which is a big bond for the team in a deeply religious country. “That’s not the same with any other team in this tournament. they’re not getting pressure they’re not used to”. “If we lose, we lose, if we win, we win, ‘ Lemeki said”.
“Sometimes it’s risky to set out outcome goals as a coach. I thought we’d be lucky to make the quarters, let alone the semis”, he said.
“We’re number one in the world, we’re not trying to be arrogant, we’re saying this is what we want”. Silver or bronze won’t do it.
“I’m absolutely speechless at what’s just happened”, – Bibby struggled to believe the finish to GB’s win.
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“They tackle incredibly hard and work incredibly hard off the ball to make sure the opposition doesn’t get through their line”, he said.
