The Rugby Sevens competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics was quite the spectacle to behold, delivering one of the most exciting tournaments in the games.
Around 67,000 fans trooped into the Stade de France in high spirits for every fixture, stunning sponsors who had anticipated average attendance figures.
Here are three major talking points from the recently concluded 2024 Olympic Rugby Sevens.
Dupont Proves his Mettle on the Grand Stage
Antoine Dupont is a household name in rugby but needed redemption after flaming out at this same stadium in the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final against South Africa.
The 27-year-old took the puzzling decision to forego the Six Nations Championship for the Olympics.
His performance in the final proved the gamble was worth it, as the 2021 World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year led his side to claim gold, their first at the tournament.
The final against Fiji was a highly competitive encounter, with the match tied 7-7 at half-time.
Dupont entered the field at the start of the second half and took the game by the scruff of its neck. The crowd serenaded him with a raucous reception as if knowing the star player would shine.
He set up a try for Aaron Grandidier within 21 seconds of his arrival. Those first points of the second half shifted the momentum in favour of the hosts.
Dupont began to assert his dominance, scoring two tries, including one after the final hooter, securing a 28-7 victory against the two-time Rugby Sevens champions.
This was France’s first gold in Rugby Sevens at the Olympics. Dupont further cemented his status as one of the greats, adding a gold medal to his already impressive collection of accolades.
South Africa secure Bronze in a Thrilling Match Against Australia
South Africa and Australia delivered a thriller in the bronze medal match, with the former prevailing 26-19 to deny their opponents a first Olympic medal.
Australia suffered a major blow when captain Nick Malouf received a red card for a dangerous tackle, leaving his men with only six players on the field.
South Africa made the numerical advantage count, scoring successive tries to open a 19-7 lead However, Australia scored twice in the final three minutes to tie the scores at 19-19 in front of a boisterous crowd.
Aussie rugby fans and bettors were keen on seeing their side defy the odds by beating one of their arch-rivals on the world stage with a man down.
Australian punters wagering on the juicy odds of a comeback win on betting sites, but were left heartbroken when Shaun Williams grabbed the decisive score.
Odds-on favourites South Africa ultimately proved too much for Australia. Their resilience and overall play ensured they claimed the bronze medal.
Australia can take solace in their defiant performance. They managed to push South Africa to the brink, even with the red card.
Early Kenya Exit Leaves a Bitter Taste
Kenya made unwanted history in Paris, exiting the tournament before the Opening Ceremony on the banks of the River Seine had taken place.
The Kenyan team was knocked out after losses to Australia, Argentina and Samoa – becoming the first athletes eliminated from competition at the Games.
Kenya were briefly level in their opening game against Australia, but crumbled in the second half. They were also no match for Argentina or Samoa.
The early exit was disappointing for Kenya, as they had hoped to make a more significant impact on the Olympic stage. They will need to regroup for the 2028 showpiece.
Kenya did get some revenge over Samoa as they defeated them 10-5 in a ninth-place play-off. They had to dig deep and defend for their lives to avenge the awful loss in the group stage.
The Kenyans have now finished ninth place in consecutive Rugby Sevens tournaments. They must aim to kick on for bigger achievements at subsequent outings.
