The opening day of Rugby Sevens at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games saw defending champions Fiji issue a resounding statement of intent, while several other teams also secured their places in the quarter-finals. Fiji, aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic title, dominated their matches with a potent mix of power, skill, and their trademark flair, reminding everyone why they remain the team to beat.

Joining Fiji in the quarter-finals after impressive day-one performances are Australia, Argentina, Ireland, and New Zealand. All five teams secured two wins from two matches, positioning themselves as serious contenders for medal positions.

Meanwhile, hosts France, spurred on by a passionate home crowd and the star power of Antoine Dupont, responded to a disappointing draw by defeating Uruguay and remaining in contention for a quarter-final berth.

Here’s a recap of the key matches that shaped the opening rounds of the tournament:

Round 2

New Zealand 17 v South Africa 5

New Zealand qualified for the Olympic quarter-finals with a 17-5 victory over South Africa in their second Pool A match. Moses Leo scored two tries, including a spectacular end-to-end effort featuring a back-flick pass from Ngarohi McGarvey-Black to Andrew Knewstubb. McGarvey-Black also crossed the line but left the field with an injury concern. Selvyn Davids scored South Africa’s lone try, briefly levelling the score at 5-5. New Zealand’s ball retention and offloading skills ultimately proved decisive. The win, following their 40-12 triumph over Japan, sets up a Pool A decider against unbeaten Ireland. Both teams have secured quarter-final spots, with the final match determining who tops the group.

Ireland 40 v Japan 5

Ireland’s Niall Comerford and Hugo Keenan celebrate the win over Japan on day one of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France on 24 July, 2024 in Paris. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby

Ireland secured their place in the Olympic quarter-finals with a dominant 40-5 victory over Japan in their second Pool A match. Terry Kennedy continued his impressive form, opening the scoring in the first minute and later setting up Chay Mullins for a 14-0 halftime lead. The Irish extended their advantage in the second half with captain Harry McNulty intercepting for a try, followed by scores from Niall Comerford, Mullins again, and Zac Ward. Japan’s lone try came from Shotaro Tsuoka, but it was merely a consolation. The win, coupled with their earlier triumph over South Africa, ensures Ireland’s progression to the knockout stages for the first time in their Olympic history. They now face New Zealand in a pool decider, with both teams on six points and quarter-final places secured. The victory also marked Ireland’s highest point total in an Olympic match, surpassing their previous best from Tokyo 2020.

Fiji 38 v USA 12

Fiji’s Jerry Tuwai and USA’s Maka Unufe after the game on day one of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France on 24 July, 2024 in Paris. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby

Fiji continued their impressive Olympic campaign with a dominant 38-12 victory over the USA in their second Pool C match. Despite conceding an early unconverted try to Orrin Bizer, Fiji responded with a devastating display of skill and speed, scoring 38 unanswered points. Iowane Teba, Kaminieli Rasaku, Selestino Ravutaumada, Josaia Raisuqe, and Iosefo Masi all crossed the line in a first-half blitz that saw Fiji lead 33-5 at the break. Waisea Nacuqu added another try in the second half before Perry Baker scored a consolation for the USA. The win, following their 40-12 triumph over Uruguay, secures Fiji’s quarter-final spot and reinforces their status as gold medal favourites.

France 19 v Uruguay 12

PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 24: Antoine Dupont #11 of Team France is challenged by Bautista Basso #5 of Team Uruguay during the Men’s Rugby Sevens Pool C Group match between France and Uruguay on Day -2 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on July 24, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

France were again made to work hard in their 19-12 victory over Uruguay in their second Pool C match. Antoine Zeghdar opened the scoring for the hosts, but Uruguay struck back through Ignacio Facciolo to lead 7-5 at halftime. The second half saw a flurry of action, with Antoine Dupont showcasing his tremendous strength to finish off a 75-metre move, only for Uruguay’s Juan Gonzalez to immediately respond. Jefferson-Lee Joseph’s try proved decisive for France, who had to survive a late yellow card to Andy Timo and a spirited Uruguayan charge. Despite the win, France’s performance remained inconsistent, leaving room for improvement before their crucial final pool match against two-time defending champions Fiji.

Argentina 28 v Samoa 12

Argentina’s Ma_eo Graziano charges through the Samoa defense on day one of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France on 24 July, 2024 in Paris. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby

Argentina secured their place in the quarter-finals with a commanding 28-12 victory over Samoa in their second Pool B match. Matías Osadczuk was the star of the show, displaying impressive skills to open the scoring and later adding a second try. Argentina silenced the booing French crowd with a dominant first-half performance, racing to a 21-0 lead at the break. Matteo Graziano and Joaquín Pellandini also crossed the line for the South Americans. Argentina maintained control in the second half despite a late fightback from Samoa, who managed two consolation tries. Following their earlier triumph over Kenya, the win sets up a Pool B decider against Australia to determine the group winner.

Australia 21 v Kenya 7

Australia’s Matt Gonzalez launches an attack against the Kenya defense on day one of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France on 24 July, 2024 in Paris. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby

Round 2 kicked off with Australia becoming the first team to secure a quarter-final berth, defeating Kenya 21-7. James Turner set the tone for the Australians, getting the scoreboard moving with a try on the opening attack. Nathan Lawson, who had scored in the earlier match against Samoa, continued his impressive form by crossing the line again. Corey Toole, making his Olympic debut after returning to the sevens format, also touched down to complete Australia’s try-scoring. Following their earlier win over Samoa, this victory guaranteed Australia’s place in the knockout stages from Pool B. Kenya, despite showing resilience, couldn’t replicate their earlier spirited performance against Argentina, leaving them with a must-win final pool match with Samoa to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.

Round 1

New Zealand 40 v Japan 12

New Zealand concluded the first round of Olympic rugby sevens matches with a commanding 40-12 victory over Japan. Akuila Rokolisoa set the tone with a try in the opening 30 seconds, but Japan quickly responded to level the scores at 7-7. The All Blacks Sevens then took control, with Fehi Fineanganofo scoring a first-half double to help establish a 26-7 lead at the break. Rokolisoa finished with two tries and 18 points, while Ngarohi McGarvey-Black also crossed twice. Japan showed flashes of skill, with Shotaro Tsuoka and Taiga Ishida scoring impressive tries, but couldn’t match New Zealand’s firepower.

Ireland 10 v South Africa 5

Ireland’s Terry Kennedy cuts through the South Africa defense for a try on day one of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France on 24 July, 2024 in Paris. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby

Ireland kicked off their Olympic rugby sevens campaign with a hard-fought 10-5 victory over South Africa. Despite dominating possession in the first half, Ireland struggled to break through until Jordan Conroy scored just before the interval. Terry Kennedy sealed the win with a brilliant individual try late in the second half, showcasing his trademark sidestep. South Africa’s captain, Selvyn Davids, scored a consolation try in the final minute, but a crucial error on the subsequent restart, where the ball failed to travel the required 10 meters, ended their hopes of a comeback. A yellow card to South Africa’s Ryan Oosthuizen for a high tackle proved pivotal in the closing stages.

Fiji 40 v Uruguay 12

Fiji’s Iowane Teba celebrates a try against Uruguay on day one of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France on 24 July, 2024 in Paris. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby

Two-time defending Olympic champions Fiji made a resounding start to their Paris 2024 campaign with a dominant 40-12 victory over Uruguay. Joji Nasova set the tone with a try in the first minute and went on to score a double. Despite a brief Uruguayan response that saw them take a 7-5 lead, Fiji’s class shone through as they built a 19-7 halftime advantage. The Pacific Islanders showcased their trademark offloading and running rugby, with six different players crossing the try line. Waisea Nacuqu, Iowane Teba, Ponipate Loganimasi, and Selesitino Ravutaumada all added tries, while Fijian Drua stars Iosefo Masi and Ravutaumada were particularly impressive throughout.

France 12 v USA 12

USA’s Madison Hughes charges through the France defense on day one of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France on 24 July, 2024 in Paris. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby

France’s highly anticipated Olympic rugby sevens debut ended in a dramatic 12-12 draw with the USA at a packed Stade de France. Jordan Sepho opened the scoring for the hosts, but Lucas Lacamp’s try gave the USA a 7-5 halftime lead. France regained the advantage through Rayan Rebbadj’s converted try, but Marcus Tupuola leveled the scores late in the game. All eyes were on French superstar Antoine Dupont, making his Olympic debut after skipping the Six Nations to focus on sevens. Dupont showed flashes of brilliance in his 12 minutes on the field, setting up attacking opportunities and making crucial tackles. The draw sets up a tense pool stage for both teams, with France facing Uruguay later in the day.

Argentina 31 v Kenya 12

Argentina and Kenya compete for a ball in the air on day one of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France on 24 July, 2024 in Paris. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby

Argentina overcame a slow start to defeat Kenya 31-12 in their opening match of the Paris 2024 Olympic rugby sevens tournament. Despite facing a hostile crowd and trailing 7-5 at halftime after Chrisant Ojwang’s early try for Kenya, the Pumas dominated the second half. Agustin Fraga scored a double, while Marcos Moneta marked his return from injury with a try. Kenya briefly leveled at 12-12 through Kevin Wekesa, but Argentina’s superior fitness and skill prevailed, with Luciano González also crossing the line. The convincing victory sets a strong tone for Argentina’s medal aspirations in a competitive tournament.

Australia 21 v Samoa 14

Australia’s Henry Hutchison dives in a try against Samoa on day one of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France on 24 July, 2024 in Paris. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby

Australia opened their Paris 2024 Olympic rugby sevens campaign with a hard-fought 21-14 victory over Samoa at the Stade de France. Despite conceding an early intercept try to Samoa’s Motu Opetai, the Australians rallied with Henry Hutchison scoring just before halftime to level the scores. In the second half, Nathan Lawson and Hutchison again crossed the line to secure the win, with Samoa managing a late consolation try through Faafoi Falaniko. The victory marks Australia’s first-ever opening match win in Olympic rugby sevens and sets a positive tone for their tournament aspirations.