There’s two fairytale stories in rugby sevens’ engrossing Olympic debut.
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Powers said they have one key asset to do it: “We have a team of heroes right now, and Canadians love heroes”.
Second-seeded South Africa was dominant in a 24-0 win over Spain, the last qualifier for the tournament, and Britain had a lopsided 31-7 win over Kenya.
Ryan laid out the team’s sole aim for Rio – and it’s not a modest one.
Britain’s men are aiming to secure a medal in Rio, having seen the women’s team play so well to reach the semi-finals, then miss out on bronze after a 33-10 defeat by Canada in the third-place match.
Lanky forward Viliame Mata and Semi “The Beast” Kunatani then scored a try each to win the match for Fiji.
That is exactly as the Rugby Sevens has turned out.
“We take it as it comes, and we’re feeling really good”, he added.
He pointed out that the Fijians have won the Hong Kong Sevens title – the most prestigious on the calendar – more than any other nation.
Japan built their combinations during a two-week camp at Narrabeen on Sydney’s northern beaches, alongside the Australian players, earlier this year.
“They’re the world champs for a reason”, said crestfallen American Danny Barrett.
“When you do that you’re taking away peoples’ choices of what game they want to play. that’s not the way you run your business or the way you treat your employees”. “Everybody’s a household name”.
“In our little bubble in the Pacific, the pressure’s on them every single day”.
Following on from what was a bitterly disappointing Rio Olympics sevens campaign, where a silver medal was all that was mustered from what would have been considerable aspirations, the autopsy by the media and public opinion of such a uncharacteristic poor showing has begun in earnest. “We are embracing that pressure at the moment – the more the better”. I can talk to him about (tactics) and he’ll give me some rugby knowledge.
“Getting to the Olympics in itself is an achievement but to knock out New Zealand along the way is pretty special”, said Auckland-born Lemeki.
The biggest problem Ryan faced initially was the exodus of talented stars leaving with ever-greater frequency to make their livings overseas.
“Everything is working very well, the players have turned up and are playing a great brand of rugby”, he told reporters in the stands.
Japan’s Rugby team caused a massive upset in the Rugby Sevens in Rio Olympics by defeating New Zealand.
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Tietjens is by far the most successful coach in worldwide sevens history and is well aware of the unpredictability of a sport in which any top tier team can beat another on a given day. But Mr. Powers said this year is the first time the women on the 15s team won’t have to “pay to play” but will be funded to travel to competition.
