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Australia men to face Fiji after qualifying for first-ever Olympics semi
By Finn Morton
Australia are through to the semi-finals of a men’s rugby sevens competition at an Olympic Games for the first time after a one-sided 18-nil win over the USA in a famous quarter-final.
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The Aussies have been knocked out of medal contention in the quarter-finals at the two previous Olympics. They were beaten 22-5 by South Africa in Rio and were outclassed by eventual gold medallists Fiji 19-nil at the Tokyo Games.
But the Australians have truly earned the right to break new ground at the world-famous venue in Saint-Denis. Henry Hutchison, James Turner, Dietrich Roache and Corey Toole have all stood tall so far during a memorable run to the final four.
After getting the better of SVNS Series League Winners Argentina to finish pool play with a perfect three-from-three start, the Aussies prepared for a shot at history. Waiting in the quarters was an American outfit hungry to make amends.
USA had drawn 12-all with Olympic hosts France in their opening match, but after losing to Fiji 38-12, needed a big win over Uruguay to go through as one of the top two third-placed teams. They gave themselves a chance of medalling by doing just that.
But after taking the field at Stade de France for their quarter-final, it soon became apparent that this wouldn’t be their night. James Turner and Corey Toole scored for Australia as they took a hard-fought 10-nil lead into the break.
Australia were in control on the scoreboard, but those decisive tries were on the back of their defensive effort. As the well-known sporting cliché goes, ‘defence wins championships’ – only time will tell as to whether it wins gold medals as well.
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Toole, who is widely considered a Wallaby-in-waiting after a strong Super Rugby Pacific season with the ACT Brumbies, was denied a second try before Maurice Longbottom capped off the dominant win after picking up a loose ball to score.
“It’s been a good couple of days. We haven’t played the best we can but we’ve got the wins which is the most important thing,” Corey Toole said in a statement.
“A lot of the pressure comes from our defence. We’ve connected as a line in defence and that’s what has won us our games.
“It’s special to not only represent myself and family but everyone supporting back home in Australia.
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“Hopefully, we can do everyone proud in the semi. We’ll go back and review Fiji and give it everything we’ve got.”
It doesn’t get any easier for the Aussies, though. If they want to guarantee themselves either a gold or silver medal by winning their semi-final matchup, Australia will need to hand Fiji their first-ever loss at a men’s Olympic Games.
Fiji are the two-time defending men’s Olympic gold medallists in rugby sevens. Now-coach Osea Kolinisau captained the Island nation to glory at the 2016 Rio Games before other players led the way five years later in Tokyo.
Veteran Jerry Tuwai is still playing, and could still become the first man to win three Olympic gold medals in rugby sevens if Fiji are successful this week. History looms for either side if they’re able to get the job done.
There will be a rest day for the opening ceremony to officially kick off the Games before sevens resumes. Australians can watch the action on Stan Sport.
