The men's tournament kicks off pool play today with six matches in the first session. Nine of the 12 teams competing in Paris are returning from Tokyo, while Samoa and Uruguay are making their Olympic debuts.
Details from each match of the first session are below.
Samoa vs. Australia
Samoa made its Olympic debut against Australia in the first match of the day. Motu Opetai opened the scoring for the island nation when he made a beautiful pick off a pass. Samoa held onto the lead for much of the first until Australia's leading scorer, Henry Hutchison, scored. The two teams entered the half at 7-7.
Australia started to show its dominance midway through the second half. After a not-releasing penalty, the Aussies capitalized by spreading the ball down the backline to Nathan Lawson to go up 14-7. Hutchinson tacked on another try in the last minute, but Samoa wouldn't go away quietly, scoring after time expired to make the final score 21-14.
Argentina vs. Kenya
Kenya started its Olympic competition against Tokyo bronze medalist and Paris podium favorite Argentina. Despite an initial bout of defensive strength from Argentina, Kenya managed to break out of a scrum restart with possession, tearing up the edge of the field for an opening try by Chrisant Ojwang midway through the first half. However, just before the half, Argentina responded, sending a skip pass for Agustin Fraga over a mess of Kenya defense for an easy score.
Argentina opened the second half by increasing its edge, tossing the ball up the middle of the field to Joaquin Pellandini for a 12-7 lead. Kenya closed the gap by scoring off a turnover on an inside pass to Kevin Wekesa, but Argentina ran away through the remainder of the match. The Argentines scored thrice, including a tournament first for star Marcos Moneta, who made his return to the pitch after suffering a broken leg in April.
France vs. United States
In front of a boisterous home crowd, the U.S. men took on host nation and heavy medal favorite France. Midway through the first, Jordan Sepho scored off a skip pass to give France the 5-0 lead.
Just before the half, off a line out, Lucas Lacamp juked the defense and turned on the wheels to score, and the U.S. would take a 7-5 lead into the half.
France wasted no time in the second half, a nice stiff arm from Stephen Parez led to Ryan Roberge being able to score on the outside for the 12-7 lead.
An underrated play of the game came on defense for the Americans. Orin Bizer saved a try from France’s Paulin Riva by knocking the ball out of Riva's hands in the try zone.
With two minutes remaining in the second, Marcus Tupuola scored off an offload from Perry Baker coming off a contested ruck. The try was in the corner, setting up a tough conversion chance, which was missed. The score was 12-12 as time expired.
After a scrum restart in extra time, the U.S. men would kick the ball out of play, ending the match in a tie as they chose to take the draw instead of risking a loss. As a result, the Americans earned two competition points in their opening match.
Fiji vs. Uruguay
In its Olympic debut, Uruguay was thrown right into the deep end, going head-to-head with two-time reigning Olympic champion Fiji, which made quick and easy work of the rookie squad.
Fiji scored three tries in the first half, effortlessly creating space for easy runs up the field. Joji Nasova scored twice, and Ponipante Loganimasi added the third. Uruguay scored once in the frame but struggled to keep up with an explosive Fiji offense.
FIji maintained its dominance through the second half, juking Uruguay's defense for a score just 19 seconds in. Uruguay nabbed a lucky try to narrow the gap, but Fiji’s energy was unwavering, adding two more tries before the final whistle for a 40-12 final.
With the win, Fiji extended its unbeaten streak, improving its Olympic record to 13-0 since the sport’s return to the competition in 2016.
Ireland vs. South Africa
In the second-to-last match of the first session, Ireland took on South Africa. The Irish spent much of the first half on attack, but South Africa’s defense held strong. Just before the half, Jordan Conroy touched the ball down just short of the try; however, less than a minute later, he’d find redemption. Zac Ward executed the offload and Conroy walked into the try near the corner. Ireland entered the half up 5-0 over South Africa.
With three minutes remaining in the match, South Africa's Ryan Oosthuizen was assessed a yellow card for a dangerous tackle. With the man advantage, Ireland capitalized. Terry Kennedy picked the ball off a ruck and ran down the sideline uncontested to give the Irish a 10-0 lead.
South Africa pressed with 30 seconds remaining, as Selvyn Davids powered through the Irish defense to make it 10-5. Davids would try to keep possession on the restart, but the drop kick didn’t go 10 meters. Ireland booted the ball out of bounds and ended the Springboks' late charge. The Irish won a tough defensive battle 10-5.
New Zealand vs. Japan
New Zealand’s signature physical prowess was on full display in its opener against Japan.
The Tokyo silver medalist gained possession early, and despite Japan’s almost-successful attempt to stop the try, Akuila Rokolisoa and the rest of New Zealand’s offense was just too alert, skirting around a Japanese wall for the opening score. Japan responded a minute later, but New Zealand regained their lead and more with three back-to-back tries to end the frame.
With unfaltering dominance, New Zealand created space and took advantage of Japan’s errors throughout the second half. Second scores from Rokolisoa and Ngarohi McGarvey increased New Zealand’s edge for the win.
Taiga Ishida managed to squeak out one final try for Japan in extra time, resulting in a 40-12 final. Rokolisoa shined for New Zealand, contributing almost half of the team’s points with two tries and four successful conversions.
Julia Yohe contributed to the recaps