Olympic Men’s 7s Preview – Pool B

Two top contenders in Australia and South Africa will collide on Day 2 in Pool B, with Latin European sides France and Spain also in residence to act as potential spoilers. All four sides prefer free-flowing rugby which should allow for some highly entertaining matches across the pool with big boppers a rarity and creative types common place. Speed of thought and commitment to the tackle will determine who tops this bunch in the pool stages.

 

*cap totals HSBC Sevens Series tournaments attended

 

AUSTRALIA

Despite finishing fourth on the HSBC Sevens Series and reaching back-to-back cup finals in Sydney and Las Vegas, the Australians seem to have been left out of Gold Medal discussions. Perhaps it’s the absence of big name international stars like Quade Cooper and Nick Cummins, or a slight dip in form at the end of the circuit. Whatever the reason, this is a team very much capable of competing with the best.

Consistency in selection has been an issue over the season, not helped by a change in coach, but the team looks to be close to full strength and with the return of standouts Jesse Parahi and Nick Malouf there is depth in key positions. Injuries to Henry Speight, Pama Fou, and Greg Jeloudev have left the team with no genuine flyer, though newcomer John Porch looks to be set to play the role of finisher.

This is a tough team, one built on work rate and team cohesion rather than individual brilliance. They cannot match the pure athletic class of the South Africans but at their best have the determination to make things interesting. A spot in the semi-finals is well within their abilities.

NAME	HGT	WGT	DOB	CAPS	CLUB
Clark, Cameron	1.85 6-1	84 185	Mar 20 1993	30	Northern Suburbs
Cusack, Tom	1.91 6-3	103 225	Mar 1 1993	15	Canberra Royals
Fa’alava’au, Allan	1.69 5-6	88 195	Nov 15 1993	28	Endeavour Hills
Foley, Con	1.87 6-2	90 200	Sep 19 1992	42	U of Queensland
Holland, Lewis	1.82 6-0	87 190	Jan 14 1993	31	Queanbeyan
Hutchison, Henry	1.75 5-9	86 190	Feb 12 1997	7	Randwick
Jenkins, Ed (capt.)	1.87 6-2	95 210	May 26 1986	45	Sydney Uni
Malouf, Nick	1.85 6-1	95 210	Mar 19 1993	22	U of Queensland
McCutcheon, Pat	1.87 6-2	103 225	Jun 24 1987	14	Sydney Uni
Parahi, Jesse	1.90 6-3	105 230	Jul 29 1989	35	Northern Suburbs
Porch, John	1.85 6-1	89 195	Feb 24 1990	5	Northern Suburbs
Stannard, James	1.73 5-8	82 180	Feb 12 1983	31	Souths

 

FRANCE

Like their XV-a-side counterparts, the French are an enigma capable of looking like world-beaters one moment and amateurs the next, often within the span of 14 minutes. It’s an eclectic mix of veterans and youngsters and one that hasn’t necessarily worked out for the best over the course of the year. A strong tournament in Cape Town was washed out by poor performance in Wellington and again in Sydney.

The tricky part of this team is in their game-breakers. Virimi Vakatawa is one of the most lethal attackers on the circuit, while Julien Candelon remains very rapid despite being the oldest man at the tournament. It’s hard to figure out what gifted playmaker Terry Bouhraoua is doing much of the time, with alchemist a more appropriate title than magician.

There is experience, some pace, and danger men but questions about their ability to stay composed under pressure. Expect a surprise or two but a medal seems a trick too far.

NAME	HGT	WGT	DOB	CAPS	CLUB
Aicardi, Jeremy	1.78 5-10	85 185	Nov 26 1988	16	France 7s
Barry, Steeve	1.81 5-11	89 195	Apr 18 1991	39	La Rochelle
Bouhraoua, Terry (capt.)	1.67 5-6	68 150	Aug 29 1987	37	France 7s
Candelon, Julien	1.70 5-7	82 180	Jul 8 1980	36	France 7s
Cler, Damien	1.85 6-1	100 220	Oct 2 1983	10	France 7s
Dall’Igna, Manoël	1.83 6-0	96 210	Mar 12 1985	50	France 7s
Inigo, Vincent	1.73 5-8	80 175	Feb 10 1983	30	France 7s
Lakafia, Pierre-Gilles	1.83 6-0	95 210	Mar 12 1987	21	France 7s
Laugel, Jonathan	1.94 6-4	100 220	Jan 30 1993	40	France 7s
Parez, Stephen	1.74 5-9	75 165	Aug 1 1994	24	France 7s
Vakatawa, Virimi	1.85 6-1	98 215	May 1 1992	17	France 7s
Valleau, Sacha	1.92 6-3	97 215	Oct 8 1996	12	France 7s

 

SOUTH AFRICA

Runners-up on the HSBC circuit and certain medal contenders. The Blitzbokke work hard and play hard. They are one of the smaller sides in the tournament but are laden with pace and power, and their tacklers punch well above their weight. Champions at home in Cape Town and three-time finalists this season, South Africa enter with high expectations from fans, players, and pundits alike.

An embarrassment of riches in the playmaking department is the strongest feature of the team. Justin Geduld, Cheslin Kolbe, breakthrough star Rosko Specman and the wonderful Cecil Afrika can jink and juke with the best, and have both the skill and wherewithal to drop a chip kick in behind an unwary defensive line. Kwagga Smith and Kyle Brown are tireless workers at the breakdown and Seabelo Senatla is a peerless try-scoring machine.

The South Africans are also consistent, never finishing below 5th in a tournament this season. They make mistakes but not many and they are usually from being overly aggressive. A finish below the top of the pool would be a letdown for a highly confident team.

NAME	HGT	WGT	DOB	CAPS	CLUB
Afrika, Cecil	1.78 5-10	75 165	Mar 3 1988	45	Griffons
Agaba, Tim	1.93 6-4	106 235	Jul 23 1989	7	Eastern Province
Brown, Kyle (capt.)	1.82 6-0	96 210	Feb 6 1987	56	Western Province
de Jongh, Juan	1.75 5-9	88 195	Apr 15 1988	4	Western Province
Geduld, Justin	1.75 5-9	78 170	Oct 1 1993	25	Western Province
Kok, Werner	1.79 5-10	92 200	Jan 17 1993	19	Western Province
Kolbe, Cheslin	1.70 5-7	80 175	Oct 28 1993	12	Western Province
Sage, Dylan	1.88 6-2	97 215	Jan 24 1992	7	Western Province
Senatla, Seabelo	1.84 6-0	84 185	Feb 10 1993	29	Western Province
Smith, Kwagga	1.81 5-11	93 205	Jun 11 1993	24	Golden Lions
Snyman, Philip	1.88 6-2	98 215	Mar 26 1987	37	Free State
Specman, Rosko	1.76 5-9	85 185	Apr 28 1989	13	Mpumalanga

 

SPAIN

The Spaniards are a surprise package after achieving qualification through the repechage tournament, succeeding where core sides Canada, Samoa, and Russia all failed. It’s a remarkable achievement in itself given that they have not appeared on the HSBC circuit since being relegated in 2014. That passion and enthusiasm have given them an historic opportunity, but they are playing with the big dogs now and attitude can only get you so far.

A tough trio of forwards in captain Matías Tudela, hard-hitting Ignacio Martín, and tall timber Iñaki Villanueva will try to secure enough possession to set Javier Carrión free. Given the opposition that’s easier said than done. Outside of those four players there is not much size, though they have landed in a favorable pool in that respect with none of their opponents wielding giants.

Included in the roster is an Argentine player. Marcus Poggi will be representing Spain but is from Argentina. His inclusion completes a remarkable comeback after recovering from ligament damage to be included in the Spanish Olympic squad.

Spain’s best hopes for a win will be in the 9th place knock-outs, where they are likely to find teams closer to their level. They may trouble France, but more than likely will struggle with the big step up in competition during the pool stage.

NAME	HGT	WGT	DOB	CAPS	CLUB
Carrión, Javier	1.88 6-2	90 200	Nov 9 1990	18	La Vila
Feijóo, Pablo	1.72 5-8	74 165	Aug 18 1982	23	Cisneros
Genua, Igor	1.76 5-9	83 180	Jun 5 1988	5	Hernani
Hernández, Francisco	1.74 5-9	78 170	Oct 28 1988	10	Cisneros
López, Ángel	1.75 5-9	84 185	Jan 16 1992	13	Cisneros
Losada, Joan	1.76 5-9	82 180	Jun 20 1992	0	Barcelona
Martín, Ignacio	1.90 6-3	99 220	Oct 15 1983	19	Bera Bera
Plá, Pol	1.74 5-9	76 165	Feb 18 1993	0	Barcelona
Poggi, Marcos	1.82 6-0	87 190	Aug 31 1987	10	Cisneros
Sempere, César	1.82 6-0	86 190	May 26 1984	9	Tatami
Tudela, Matías (capt.)	1.87 6-2	98 215	Oct 6 1984	21	Tatami
Villanueva, Iñaki	1.98 6-6	105 230	Feb 10 1991	2	Cisneros

 

FIXTURES (all times local Brazil)

TUE, AUG 9 – 11:00 – Australia vs France
TUE, AUG 9 – 11:30 – South Africa vs Spain

TUE, AUG 9 – 16:00 – Australia vs Spain
TUE, AUG 9 – 16:30 – South Africa vs France

WED, AUG 10 – 11:00 – France vs Spain
WED, AUG 10 – 11:30 – South Africa vs Australia