The Paris Olympics got underway in chaotic fashion on Thursday as while Australia made an early statement in the rugby sevens. Elsewhere, an Australian Olympic champion was the victim of a break-in while another team has been hit by a Covid-19 outbreak. Australia laid down a marker to home favourites France and double Olympic champions Fiji, kicking off the rugby sevens tournament Wednesday with a 21-14 win over Samoa before following it up with a 21-7 victory over Kenya at a packed Stade de France.
With the two wins, Australia locked up a spot in the quarter-finals and could top the pool with a win over Argentina on Thursday night. The Australians started their first game nervously, with several handling errors, and Samoa opened the scoring, Motu Opetai intercepting a long pass to run most of the length of the pitch. But Australia hit back just before half time, with Henry Hutchison smashing through a rare Samoan missed tackle to level the scores at the break.
A Nathan Lawson try in the corner doubled Australia’s advantage halfway through the second half, accurate long passing stretching the Samoan defence. Hutchison touched down his second try with seconds to go as the Samoan defensive effort took its toll on their fitness. Faafoi Falaniko nabbed a consolation try right at the death.
Elsewhere, Dietrich Roache was a standout for Australia in the win over Kenya, setting up James Turner for the opening try of the game and then putting it on a platter for Lawson. Elsewhere, .