RUGBY: Australia’s men’s rugby sevens team are still confident of winning a medal in Rio despite missing out on automatic Olympic qualification earlier in the year.
Needing to finish in the top four of the 2014/15 Men’s Sevens World Series to secure an Olympic berth, the Aussie team fell agonisingly short as England jumped them in the final rounds of the competition.
Captain Ed Jenkins’ and his men will now look to qualify through the Oceania Championships to be held in Auckland in November, with preparations for the tournament beginning to intensify.
“We had six weeks off following the final event of the world series but now we are definitely starting to build our training up as we prepare for the qualifiers,” the long-time captain said.
“Everyone has come back really hungry after just missing out on automatic qualification.”
First up for the Aussies will be a six match series against Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand, who along with Fiji, England and South Africa have all qualified for Rio.
“New Zealand is right up there in terms of best teams in the world and are always tough to play against.
“We are looking forward to lining up against them in the six games next month and I’m sure the matches will go a long way on helping us prepare for the qualification tournament.”
Australia’s main threat at the qualifiers will be the only other side that is a regular on the world series circuit – Samoa. Given New Zealand and Fiji have already booked their Rio spots.
“We had the chance to play Samoa in the bronze medal playoff at last year’s Commonwealth Games where we go the better of them.
“They didn’t finish too well on the overall series standings this year but they can beat anyone on their day.
“They are an unpredictable side that we can’t take lightly especially with their big threats out wide.”
If they do book their ticket to Rio, Jenkins knows that his side will have every chance to get to the top of the podium.
“The exciting thing about sevens is that anyone can beat anyone else on their day.
“We had it over Fiji throughout the whole year and they eventually went on to win the series.
“We know that if we play to our potential then we can walk away with gold or at least a medal.”
With Wallabies livewire Henry Speight already signing on and others keen to be a part of the world’s most prestigious sporting event the Australian team could have a few new faces come Rio.
“I think there are a few Wallabies that might be interested at playing in the sevens and having a crack at a gold medal in Rio.
“It will definitely take time to make the transition to the game so if they were to ty to make the team the earlier they came across the better.”
The inclusion of rugby sevens in the Olympic Games has helped the sport continue its rise to prominence in the sporting landscape.
“It has definitely been great for the game.
“We’ve seen sevens grow in Australia over the past four years and crowd attendances being amazing.
“We are hopeful that we can lift this higher again by walking away with a medal from the Rio Games.”
Should the Australia not qualify through the Oceania Championships but still achieve a top three placing, then they will participate in the Men’s Final Olympic Qualification Tournament for the final place in the Olympic Games in early 2016.
Australia’s women’s team gained automatic qualification for Rio 2016 by finishing the world series in third place.
The 12-team tournament for men and women, which includes Brazil as host nation, will be held at Deodoro from Days 1-6 of the Games.
Matt Bartolo
olympics.com.au
