Rugby 7s

France set the pace in both the men’s and women’s Olympic Repechage tournament on a pulsating second day of action at Stade Louis II in Monaco.

Both squads won all of their matches on day two to book their place in Sunday’s play-offs and maintain their hopes of qualifying for Tokyo 2020.

Hong Kong, Ireland and Samoa will join France in the men’s play-offs, while Argentina, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan and Russia also have 100 per cent records in the women’s pool stage.

Twelve countries will compete in Rugby 7s over the two-day (12-13 July) tournament at Apia Park Stadium. The tournament kicks off at 1000hrs on 12 July with Fiji v Solomon Islands in the women’s competition.

¬¬¬Seeding for the draw was decided on rankings from the 2018/2019 HSBC Sevens Series; rankings from Oceania Sevens Championships; and the 2017 Pacific Mini Games.

The grass has been laid, the pitch marked out, the seating and floodlights installed in the temporary stadium and the posts were the final major structure to be put in place by venue organisers. The Deodoro Stadium will also host the equestrian, combined running and shooting sections of the modern pentathlon during the 2016 Games. 

Five tries to PNG was the tale of the tape as they did it easy over a Tahiti side that was no match.

Bomai racked up 6 points converting three of the five tries.

In the second half is when Bomai grabbed her two tries one after the other.

The kicking responsibilities were left to Kymlie Rapilla who added the extras for both tries.

Alice Alois grabbed the last try for PNG in what has been PNG’s easiest win yet.

But PNG’s acid test will come tonight when they play Australia tonight at 8:30pm.

Ryan told PACNEWS upon their arrival at Jackson International Airport  Tuesday that Samoa is always a tough team to play against in any 7s tournament.

“ I haven’t seen the team yet  so I don’t know the strength of the side  they brought over  but they will be looking to qualify for Olympics in November, so I’m sure with the new coach as well  they send for this tournament I’m sure they will be a huge threat as well .They always tough to play against.

“I think PNG, Tonga and Samoa this three will make up a prime opposition this week,” Ryan told PACNEWS.