Australia’s men’s rugby sevens team have already made it further at an Olympics than they have before, but the upcoming semi-final against Fiji presents a challenge for which the team understands preparation can only take them so far.
The marauding Fijians are chasing their third successive gold medal. In Paris they are already battle-hardened after victories over France and Ireland, and pose for Australia the sevens format’s ultimate test.
Outside back Ben Dowling said after the 18-0 quarter-final victory against the USA his team has gained confidence from its rugged defence, “which is unique in sevens because it’s normally a fast-paced, high-scoring game”.
But on their day off before the semi-final on Saturday (Sunday morning AEST), he said there was only so much scouting they can do in the free-flowing format, and especially against their imposing opponents. “Against a team like Fiji, who don’t have much of a plan sometimes because they can pull out anything, it’s very hard to put a defensive plan to that,” he said.
His teammate Matt Gonzales, making his Olympics debut at age 30 after a long Sydney club career, said he is still pinching himself about being in Paris. “There was a point where I thought my professional career wasn’t going to happen, and I was close to hanging up the boots.”
The Eastwood veteran tore both his quads and feared his time in rugby, and especially in the high-paced, explosive sevens format, would end. But tweaks to his strength program has allowed him to flourish in the Australian sevens program, which has already secured its most significant result with a medal now just one win away.
“There’s been a bit around us boys making some history here,” he said. “No matter what happens going ahead, we’ve all got to be really incredibly proud of ourselves, and whoever is in front of us, we’ll just attack them in both attack and defence, and really soak up the moment.”
A victory against Fiji in the semi-final sets up a potential final with hosts France, who face South Africa in the other semi. The Australians could also meet France in the bronze medal play-off – scheduled just a few hours after the semis – if both teams lose. “Playing against the French will be special in France and the crowd will be against us,” Gonzales said. “We know that but it’s part of the game.”
Dowling said the entire tournament, played at the 80,000-capacity Stade de France, has been “super special” after watching last year’s Rugby World Cup, and he hopes his team’s performance can help build momentum for rugby union in Australia. “It’s a privilege as well because we can put rugby and sevens hopefully on the map back in Australia, and in a great position for young kids coming through.”
He said the team has drawn inspiration from the Australian women’s side, which won gold in Rio in its 2016 Olympic debut, and the effect the feat had on the rugby community. “We know that the results here go beyond the 14 of us here, [to] the coaching staff and family and everyone back home in Australia, so we definitely know there’s added importance.”
The women’s tournament begins on Sunday, when Australia meet South Africa and Great Britain in pool matches.
