The Irish rugby team’s quiet self-assurance, evidenced during their training camp in Tours – where they lodged prior to the Rugby World Cup the preceding year – has been justly rewarded. With successful outcomes in their initial matches at the Olympic Games in Paris, they’ve confirmed a spot in the quarter-final.
In an exciting first encounter with South Africa, Ireland dominated, particularly in the inaugural half. Terry Kennedy, the 2022 World Player of the Year, showcased a stellar solo performance towards the end of the second half, which extended their lead to an unassailable 10-0. The initial Irish score was courtesy of Jordan Conroy after the seventh minute. A last-minute try by South Africa might have reduced the deficit, but Ireland emerged triumphant with a well-deserved 10-5 victory. Notably, they had lost to South Africa in their first match at the Tokyo Olympics three years earlier.
Meanwhile, Japan, having endured a brutal 40 points deficit against New Zealand, lost to Ireland who allowed only minimal points while netting an additional 40.
The structure of the tournament sees the top two teams from each of the three pools of four, along with the two best third-ranked teams, proceeding to the quarter-finals. The teams are then ranked from one to eight for the quarter-final draw. Ireland’s initial triumphs place them in an exceptional position with momentum working in their favour, as they gear up for their final pool match against the All Blacks Sevens on Thursday.
Parallel to some of the most well-attended Six Nations or Rugby World Cup games of the prior year, the atmosphere in Stade de France was electric. The on-field displays of the Irish team combined with the rhythm set by a trendily bearded DJ and the giant screen, and a dance cam circling the audience, created a festive environment.
Sevens rugby tends to attract a more enthusiastic audience than the traditional form, since its brisk match turnover and high pace are a hit with event-goers of all ages. Its popularity during the Olympic Games was no exception.
Given that this was only the third Olympic cycle since rugby made the list in Rio 2016, Australia kicked off the evening defeating Samoa. Following their victory, the Australian players gathered on the purple track surrounding the infield for a moment of shared gratitude, lifting their arms in a group salute to celebrate a successful opening.
Soon after, the Argentine team received a round of jeers as they stormed onto the pitch, before Kenya joined them amid louder cheers of approval. The spectators had already designated their heroes and villains in this impromptu theatre, but found themselves let down when Argentina emerged triumphant, 31-12.
France, blessed by Antoine Dupont’s presence in the opening lineup, received boundless affection. This is the very ground where they bid goodbye to the World Cup competition they were expected to conquer, just last year. However, this time around, things were different.
Though there was an air of discontentment, no signs of despair were apparent when the hosts, USA, landed a last-minute try to secure a pleasing 12-12 draw, splitting the points with the current World Series titleholders. France, on the other hand, emerged victorious in their second match. Meanwhile, two-time Olympic champions Fiji showed their prowess with 40-12 and 38-12 victories over Uruguay and USA respectively.
Questions arose regarding how Ireland would be perceived by the spectators as they braced against South Africa. Judging by the quiet buzz, it seemed that they had certainly won over the crowd.
Sporting green jerseys contrasting with the South African team’s white, Ireland completely dominated the first half. As half-time approached with the scoreboard still blank, despite a close miss from Kennedy, Ireland maintained their cool and eventually reaped the rewards.
The referees invalidated a Jordan Conroy try due to a knock-on, leading South Africa to retaliate with a kick up the field, welcoming an attack from their opponents. The Irish team accepted their offer, and following several phases, Conroy was given another chance, which he seized brilliantly, scoring in the corner as the half-time whistle rang. Ireland went into the break leading 5-0. They may have been slightly frustrated with just one successful try despite their domination, though it appeared otherwise.
When Ryan Oosthuizen reduced the South African team to six men with a high tackle on Gavin Mullin, Ireland took advantage of the situation, launching an offensive. Next, Kennedy changed the course of the match with an interior step beating the Blitzbok Tiaan Pretorius, landing the second try for a 10-0 lead. South African captain Selvyn Davids retaliated, bringing the score to 10-5 as time started running out.
In the face of a newly adjusted Irish starting lineup, Japan experienced an assertive defeat. The superior preparation, profounder understanding of the game, and above all the dynamic performance of Kennedy with a try and assist in the initial half, gave the upper hand to James Topping’s team.
Kennedy’s key assist to Chay Mullins, already past Japan’s try line, secured an uncomplicated conversion right under the posts. This action brought the first half to a halt at a comfortable 14-0 lead.
The match saw further tries from Harry McNulty and then Niall Comerford, elevating the score to 21-0 and then 26-0. A second score from Mullins and a concluding score by Zac Ward in the twilight ensured a significant 40-5 victory.
On the opening day of Olympic winners and losers at Stade de France, Ireland rose to the occasion. Progressing into a quarter-final, they are now slated to face New Zealand in an attempt to lead Pool A. Their current position aligns with their original intentions and expectations.