Seven rugby sevens stars to watch out for at 2020 Tokyo Olympics
After five years of waiting, the Tokyo Olympics are finally underway, with rugby sevens set to make its second successive appearance at the Games.
The men’s competition will get up and running on July 26 before the women’s competition kicks off three days later, with Fiji and Australia looking to fight off stern competition to preserve their Olympic champion status.
In anticipation of rugby’s return to the Olympics, we have identified seven sevens stars to watch out for as rugby take centre stage at Tokyo Stadium next week.
Samu Kerevi (Australia men)
One of the biggest rugby names at the Tokyo Olympics, former Wallabies midfielder Samu Kerevi has transitioned to the abbreviated form of the game in pursuit of a gold medal.
Having spent the last two years plying his trade in the Top League for Suntory Sungoliath, the 27-year-old will don the yellow jersey of Australia once again after having last represented the country at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
A physical presence in the midfield, expect Kerevi to be a damaging prospect when given the chance to attack with ball in hand.
Semi Radradra (Fiji men)
Another XV-a-side star, Semi Radradra has returned to the Fijian sevens set-up after three-year hiatus as he dominated the rugby world.
Renowned as one of the game’s best attacking talents, the 29-year-old has pedigree in the sevens circuit, having first debuted for Fiji prior to his rugby league stint in 2011 before returning to the World Sevens Series and the Sevens World Cup in 2018.
Radradra played a starring role for the Flying Fijians at the 2019 World Cup and has been a crucial figure for the Bristol Bears due to his pace and power, both of which will be vital if Fiji are to replicate their gold medal exploits in Tokyo.
Portia Woodman (New Zealand women)
Arguably the best women’s rugby player on the planet, Portia Woodman returns to the Olympics as she aims to go one place better than her silver medal finish at Rio 2016.
Back in action after a lengthy injury lay-off, the 30-year-old comes into the Tokyo Olympics as one of rugby’s most decorated female players with Women’s World Cup, Commonwealth Games and Sevens World Cup titles to her name.
A barnstorming athlete, Woodman packs plenty of power into her 1.70m and 70kg frame, which will be utilised heavily if the Black Ferns Sevens are to live up to their tags as gold medal favourites.
The All Blacks are reportedly set to play in Washington DC for the first time ever in a test match that is expected to earn NZR millions in revenue. #AllBlacks https://t.co/4xvciNyZVt
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 24, 2021
Charlotte Caslick (Australia women)
One of Australia’s most experienced operators, Charlotte Caslick is back at the Olympics to double down on the gold medal success she and her teammates earned at Rio 2016.
A former international representative in touch rugby who switched to rugby league to play in the women’s NRL last year, the 26-year-old will spearhead Australia’s tilt for back-to-back gold medals.
A five-eighth and fullback for the Sydney Roosters, expect Caslick to act as a playmaker to put her Australian teammates into space throughout the duration of the competition.
Perry Baker (USA men)
Among the fastest players in the rugby world, Perry Baker is set to light up the Tokyo Olympics as the United States target their first medal rugby since 1924.
Of an American football background, the 35-year-old has terrorised defences so much in sevens that he has been named World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018.
With such electric out-and-out pace, Baker is primed to work in tandem with fellow speedster Carlin Isles as the USA looks to deliver on its highly-touted potential.
Greg O’Shea (Ireland men)
Although he has played sevens for Ireland since 2017, Greg O’Shea rose to prominence as a reality TV star when he won Love Island two years ago.
The 26-year-old’s success on British television has amassed him a following of more than 1 million people on Instagram, ranking him as one of rugby’s most popular social media stars alongside the likes of Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams.
On the rugby field, O’Shea has become a regular for the Irish as they qualified for both the World Sevens Series and the Olympic Games, so don’t be surprised to see the him ruffle some feathers in Group C.
A former Maori All Blacks star is “excited” to represent Japan at the Tokyo Olympics next week following an eligibility saga last year. #Tokyo2020https://t.co/djBIyqHeSa
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 24, 2021
Siviwe Soyizwapi (South Africa men)
Blessed with pace and power, Siviwe Soyizwapi’s importance to South Africa’s medal chances has been reflected by his appointment as captain of the Blitzboks for the Tokyo Olympics.
The 28-year-old started his career in the XV-a-side game in the Currie Cup and Super Rugby with the Kings, but hasn’t looked back since converting to sevens full-time in 2016.
With Rosko Specman or Seabelo Senatla absent from South Africa’s, Soyizwapi will be one of the key figures if the Blitzboks are to return to South Africa with another medal after their bronze medal success at Rio 2016.
Comments on RugbyPass
Finn Russell logic: “World” = 4 countries. Ireland may be at or near the top. FR’s bigger concern should be he and his fellow Scots (incl. the Bloemfontein ones) sliding back down to below top 10
42 Go to commentsMind games have begun. Ireland learned their lesson after saying they could beat England with 13 players or whatever. Still, if they win at Loftus, that would be impressive - final frontier etc.
58 Go to comments$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
3 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to comments