Rugby sevens at the 2016 Summer Olympics

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Rugby sevens
at the Games of the XXXI Olympiad
Rugby Sevens, Rio 2016.png
Venue Deodoro Stadium
Dates6–11 August 2016
No. of events2
Competitors288 from 14 nations
  1924
2020  

Rugby sevens at the 2016 Summer Olympics was held over six days in August 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. [1] The 2016 Olympics was the debut for rugby sevens at the Summer Olympics, though rugby union was last played at the 1924 games.

The usual laws of rugby sevens applied. [2]

Changes

Though rugby has not been featured in the Olympics since the 1924 Summer Olympics in any form, the IOC chose to re-introduce the seven-a-side version of the sport for the games. [2] The sport was featured for the 2016 and the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Venue

Aerial view of the Deodoro Stadium, a temporary 15,000-seat stadium where all matches of Rugby sevens were held during the 2016 Summer Olympics. Rio2016 julho ZonaB Deodoro 014 2480 -c-2016 GabrielHeusi HeusiAction(1).jpg
Aerial view of the Deodoro Stadium, a temporary 15,000-seat stadium where all matches of Rugby sevens were held during the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The rugby competition took place in a temporary arena at Deodoro Stadium. The original plan was to stage the rugby matches at the São Januário Stadium. However this was scrapped because the club in charge of the venue missed the deadline to present its project. The Organising Committee considered Estádio Olímpico João Havelange, which would have had to have been shared with the athletics competitions. [3] It was later announced that the rugby competition will take place in a temporary arena at Deodoro Stadium, shared with the modern pentathlon. In April 2016 concerns were raised by the World Rugby head of competitions and performance, Mark Egan, about progress of construction at the temporary 15,000-seater stadium. [4]

Qualification

Brazil men’s and women’s teams automatically qualified for the events. Qualification began with the 2014–15 Sevens World Series (men's) and 2014–15 World Rugby Women's Sevens Series, where the 4 teams at the top of the standings qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games. In June–September 2015, each of the six regional rugby unions held an Olympic qualification event, where one team from each region qualified. The final spot will be determined by a repechage tournament. It will comprise 16 teams from the regional qualifiers: 4 from Europe, 3 from Africa, 3 from Asia, 2 from Oceania, 2 from North America and 2 from South America.

As a result of Great Britain competing as one union in the Olympics and as several in international rugby (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Irish players that choose to play for the Irish Rugby Union), should one of either the England, Wales or Scotland teams qualify then Great Britain will be awarded a spot in the Olympic Games. These three British unions agreed in advance of the 2013–14 men's and women's Sevens World Series that their highest-finishing teams in that season would represent all three unions in the first stage of qualification in both 2014–15 series. The England men's and women's teams earned the right to represent the British unions in that stage of their respective competitions. [5] The unions will then decide the composition of the Great Britain team. Players based in Northern Ireland are part of the Irish Rugby Football Union and the IRFU demanded that Northern Irish players, that have committed to play for the Irish rugby union, only play for Ireland despite being eligible under IOC rules to compete for Great Britain. [6] [7] [8]

The world governing body for the sport renamed itself from the International Rugby Board to World Rugby (WR) effective 19 November 2014. [9]

Men's tournament

Means of qualificationDate of completionVenueBerthsQualified
Host nation2 October 2009 Flag of Denmark.svg Copenhagen 1Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil
2014–15 Sevens World Series 17 May 2015Various4Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
2015 CONSUR Sevens 7 June 2015 Flag of Argentina.svg Santa Fe 1Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina
2015 NACRA Sevens 14 June 2015 Flag of the United States.svg Cary 1Flag of the United States.svg  United States
2015 Rugby Europe Grand Prix Series 12 July 2015Various1Flag of France.svg  France
2015 ARFU Sevens Championships 8 November 2015 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong 1Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
2015 Oceania Sevens Championship 15 November 2015 Flag of New Zealand.svg Auckland 1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
2015 Africa Cup Sevens 15 November 2015 Flag of South Africa.svg Johannesburg 1Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya
2016 Final Olympic Qualification Tournament 19 June 2016 Flag of Monaco.svg Fontvieille 1Flag of Spain.svg  Spain
Total12

Women's tournament

Means of qualificationDate of completionVenueBerthsQualified
Host nation2 October 2009 Flag of Denmark.svg Copenhagen 1Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil
2014–15 World Rugby Women's Sevens Series 23 May 2015Various4Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
2015 CONSUR Women's Sevens 7 June 2015 Flag of Argentina.svg Santa Fe 1Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia
2015 NACRA Women's Sevens 14 June 2015 Flag of the United States.svg Cary 1Flag of the United States.svg  United States
2015 Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix 21 June 2015Various1Flag of France.svg  France
2015 Women's Africa Cup Sevens 27 September 2015 Flag of South Africa.svg Johannesburg 1Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya [1]
2015 Oceania Women's Sevens Championship 15 November 2015 Flag of New Zealand.svg Auckland 1Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
2015 ARFU Women's Sevens Championships 29 November 2015Various1Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
2016 Final Olympic Qualification Tournament 26 June 2016 Flag of Ireland.svg Dublin 1Flag of Spain.svg  Spain
Total12

^ 1. South Africa won the continental qualifier, but did not participate in the 2016 Olympics. The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee's qualification criteria do not permit qualification via the continental route. [10] [11] [12] Kenya, as the second-placed team in the African qualifiers, advanced to the Olympics. [13]

Men's competition

Group stage

Group A

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDPtsQualification
1Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 33008545+409 Quarter-finals
2Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 32016235+277
3Flag of the United States.svg  United States 31025941+185
4Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 30031297853
Source: World Rugby
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head result; 3) Point difference; 4) Points scored.

Group B

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDPtsQualification
1Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 32015512+437 Quarter-finals
2Flag of France.svg  France 32015745+127
3Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 32015248+47
4Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 30031776593
Source: World Rugby
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head result; 3) Point difference; 4) Points scored.

Group C

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDPtsQualification
1Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 33007345+289 Quarter-finals
2Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 32016440+247
3Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 31025940+195
4Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 30031990713
Source: World Rugby
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head result; 3) Point difference; 4) Points scored.

Knockout stage

 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsGold Medal Match
 
          
 
10 August 2016 – Deodoro Stadium
 
 
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 12
 
11 August 2016 – Deodoro Stadium
 
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 7
 
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 20
 
10 August 2016 – Deodoro Stadium
 
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 5
 
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 12
 
11 August 2016 – Deodoro Stadium
 
Flag of France.svg  France 7
 
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 43
 
10 August 2016 – Deodoro Stadium
 
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 7
 
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain (a.e.t.)5
 
11 August 2016 – Deodoro Stadium
 
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 0
 
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 7
 
10 August 2016 – Deodoro Stadium
 
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 5 Bronze Medal Match
 
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 22
 
11 August 2016 – Deodoro Stadium
 
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 5
 
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 14
 
 
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 54
 

Women's competition

Group stage

Group A

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDPtsQualification
1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 321010112+898 Quarter-finals
2Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 32014843+57
3Flag of the United States.svg  United States 31116724+436
4Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 300301371373
Source: World Rugby
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head result; 3) Point difference; 4) Points scored.

Group B

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDPtsQualification
1Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 330010912+979 Quarter-finals
2Flag of France.svg  France 32017140+317
3Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 31023165345
4Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 300317111943
Source: World Rugby
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head result; 3) Point difference; 4) Points scored.

Group C

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDPtsQualification
1Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 3300913+889 Quarter-finals
2Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 32018322+617
3Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil (H)31022977485
4Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 3003101111013
Source: World Rugby
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head result; 3) Point difference; 4) Points scored.
(H) Hosts

Knockout stage

 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsGold Medal Match
 
          
 
7 August 2016 – Deodoro Stadium
 
 
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 24
 
8 August 2016 – Deodoro Stadium
 
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 0
 
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 17
 
7 August 2016 – Deodoro Stadium
 
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 5
 
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 15
 
8 August 2016 – Deodoro Stadium
 
Flag of France.svg  France 5
 
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 24
 
7 August 2016 – Deodoro Stadium
 
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 17
 
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 26
 
8 August 2016 – Deodoro Stadium
 
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 7
 
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 7
 
7 August 2016 – Deodoro Stadium
 
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 25 Bronze Medal Match
 
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 5
 
8 August 2016 – Deodoro Stadium
 
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 0
 
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 33
 
 
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 10
 

Competition schedule

The competition will run August 6–11. [14]

In the Men's tournament, pool A consists of Fiji, Argentina, USA and Brazil. Pool B includes South Africa, Australia, France and Spain while pool C consists of New Zealand, Great Britain, Kenya and Japan. [15]

In the Women's tournament pool A consists of Australia, USA, Fiji and Colombia. Pool B includes New Zealand, France, Spain and Kenya while pool C consists of Canada, Great Britain, Brazil and Japan. [15]

Medal summary

Medal table

RankNationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1Flag of Australia.svg  Australia 1001
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 1001
3Flag of the United Kingdom (3-2).svg  Great Britain 0101
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 0101
5Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 0011
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 0011
Totals (6 entries)2226

Winners

EventGoldSilverBronze
Men's tournament
details
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji (FIJ) Flag of the United Kingdom (3-2).svg  Great Britain (GBR) Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa (RSA)
Women's tournament
details
Flag of Australia.svg  Australia (AUS) Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand (NZL) Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada (CAN)

Team issues

Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The international structure of rugby union with respect to Great Britain and Northern Ireland is similar to that of association football, but with its own unique features. In football, the four Home Nations within the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) all field separate national teams, which led to a controversy over how to field a combined Great Britain football team at the 2012 Olympics. The Republic of Ireland fields its own national team in football. In rugby union, the three Home Nations that share the island of Great Britain also have their own national teams. Ireland, by contrast, is not divided for rugby purposes—the sport is organised on an All-Ireland basis, with a single governing body for the entire island. [16] Great Britain will get a chance to field a combined team. [17]

This structure led to some minor issues regarding participation of a Great Britain team in the qualifying stages of the 2016 Games. Due to a tradition of cooperation between the governing bodies of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland—especially during the quadrennial tours of the Southern Hemisphere by the unified British and Irish Lions 15-a-side team—these were far less contentious than in football; as early as 2011, World Rugby (then known as the International Rugby Board) endorsed the concept of a united Great Britain team for the 2016 Games. [18]

In August 2012, a provisional plan was announced by which England, Scotland and Wales would all be able to qualify as a Great Britain sevens team for the 2016 Games. The first qualifying stage is planned to be the 2014–2015 men's Sevens World Series and World Rugby Women's Sevens Series, with the top four teams of each sex at the end of that season advancing to the Games. All three nations are "core teams" that participate in every event of the men's Sevens Series; the Women's Sevens Series began in 2012–2013 with England as one of the six core teams. [19] Qualifying will continue with regional tournaments and a final worldwide Olympic qualifier. Should any of the three teams finish in a qualifying spot at any stage, Great Britain will send a team to the Games. The final composition of a Great Britain team would then be determined by the three nations and the British Olympic Association. [17]

As is the case with olympic boxing, rugby in Ireland is organised on an all-island basis. This means that Northern Irish players who have chosen to represent Ireland in rugby, despite the fact that they are residents of the UK, must play for the IRFU and thus must compete for Ireland. Northern Irish players who have qualified to play international rugby for the other home nations could still play for Great Britain.

Brazil

Another issue was to make Brazil's automatically qualifying team competitive. [20] In an attempt to address this for the women's tournament, the IRB announced in August 2013 that Brazil would be an invited core team in the Women's Sevens World Series for at least the 2013–14 season. [21]

See also

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