The game they play in Heaven, Rugby Sevens
Overview
It’s touted as the game they play in heaven; however, if you have 14-minutes to watch it all unfold, you might think differently.
Debuting in the 2016 Rio Olympics, Australia staked its claim for Rugby and took the world by storm.
Not many countries can boast that they have the first medals handed out for the discipline in their trophy cabinet, but your Aussie Women certainly can!
A shortened version of the traditional XVs Rugby format, Sevens demands discipline, patience, speed and strength. As a sport, it’s the epitome of the Olympic mantra, Citius - Altius – Fortius, Faster – Higher – Stronger.
It’s high speed, high impact and exhilarating!
Featured Olympians
Australia’s golden girls are back in 2021, more skilful than ever. With five returning Gold Medalists in Sharni Williams, Shannon Parry, Charlotte Caslick, Evani Pelite, and Emma Tonegato, your Aussie 7s women will be hard to go past.
Add in the next generation of athletes, inspired by their feats in Rio, Maddison Levi, Sariah Paki, Tia Hinds, Faith Nathan, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Madison Ashby and Demi Hayes it’s a recipe for success.
Australia’s travelling reserve in 2016, Dominique Du Toit, will also earn her chance at Olympic glory, rounding out the Australian Women’s Team.
Meanwhile, a recent recruitment spree has seen a powerhouse side of Australian Men assembled as they look to write their own chapter of Olympic history.
Captain, Nick Malouf will be steering the ship, flanked by two exceptional players in Henry Hutchison (2016 Rio Olympian) and World Series star Maurice Longbottom.
In an added boost to the Australian line-up, World Cup Wallaby Samu Kerevi is set to earn his first start for the Australian Sevens jersey, riding an exercise bike all through hotel quarantine to earn his Olympic jersey.
Lewis Holland is also his second Olympic games and will help lead a rich Australian side alongside Lachie Anderson, who returns to the sevens program from Super Rugby.
Joe Pincus, Dylan Pietsch, Nathan Lawson, Joshua Coward, Joshua Turner, Lachlan Miller and Dietrich Roache round out the powerful side looking to leave Tokyo with no regrets.
How it works:
There’s one key number when it comes to understanding Rugby Sevens, and that’s 7.
- 2x 7min halves make up a match
- 2x Teams of 7 players on the field (an additional five players on the bench)
- A try (scored at either end) plus a conversion makes 7 points
- Try – 5 points
- Conversion – 2 points
- Penalty Kick – 3 points
Competition Schedule:
The Australian Men will kick off the programming in 2021 with a recent preparation tournament in Townsville, seeing the side refine its recipe for success.
Darwin in Pool A, the fierce Tran Tasman rivalry will continue with New Zealand, while your Aussie Men will also come up against Argentina and Korea before they commence their run into the finals on day two.
The Men will kick off their competition on Monday, 26 July, taking on Argentina at 11:30am AEST, with every match set to be available LIVE and FREE on the Seven Network.
Meanwhile, the Australian women will call Pool C home, tackling China, the USA and hometown hero’s Japan as they look to write their next Olympic chapter.
Australian Men’s Sevens
Monday 26 July
Australia v Argentina, Tokyo Stadium, 11:30am AEST
Australia v Korea, Tokyo Stadium, 7:00pm AEST
Tuesday 27 July
Australia v New Zealand, Tokyo Stadium, 11:30am AEST
Australian Women’s Sevens
Thursday 29 July
Australia v Japan, Tokyo Stadium, 11:30am AEST
Australia v China, Tokyo Stadium, 6:30pm AEST
Friday 30 July
Australia v USA, Tokyo Stadium, 11:30am AEST
