Powerhouse Fiji dominates U.S. in rugby sevens to lead Pool C. Team USA is in 3rd

PARIS – Fiji won the first two Olympic gold medals in rugby sevens after the sport was introduced at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics — and the island country in the South Pacific displayed its dominance once again at the outset in Paris.

After a 40-12 victory over Uruguay in its Paris Olympics opener, Fiji made easy work of Team USA. The United States got out to an early 5-0 lead after Orrin Bizer scored a try, but it was all Fiji after that.

Fiji put on an impressive display of superior speed, athleticism and strength and scored 38 unanswered points to rout the Americans 38-12. Team USA’s Perry Baker scored another try late in the second half with the match already out of hand.

“To play Fiji is an absolute nightmare because they are predictably unpredictable. They are the kings of (rugby) sevens,” Team USA coach Mike Friday said. “They controlled the kickoffs and were able to exert pressure. As much as it was against us, it was beautiful to watch. I don’t mean this in a derogatory way, they are like ballerinas. They are so graceful and agile.”

Fiji earned six points to lead Pool C after session one.

Team USA earned three total points and is in third place in Pool C behind Fiji and France (five points) going into session two of the rugby sevens competition. They will need a win against Uruguay for a chance to advance to the next round.

When is Team USA’s next rugby match?

Team USA will face Uruguay on Thursday at 9 a.m. ET.

USA rugby plays spoiler, gets draw versus host country France in Paris Olympics opener

The U.S. men’s rugby team was in a hostile environment for its opening match of the 2024 Paris Olympics versus host France.

The near-capacity crowd did the wave around the Stade de France and roared as the French team was introduced. But Team USA kept its composure and came away with a 12-12 draw and two points.

“We definitely fed off it,” Team USA’s Steve Tomasin answered when asked about the frenzied French crowd. “I always say, there’s nothing better than playing a team in their own country. To be able to quiet a crowd is just as fun as being able to hear a full roar. Even though we’re playing against them, it was still great to hear. We definitely fed off it. We knew what we were coming into.”

Lucas Lacamp scored a try (five points) midway through the first half and Tomasin converted a conversion to give Team USA a 7-5 lead in the first half. France’s Rayan Rebbadj scored a try early in the second half and was followed by a successful conversion by Jean-Pascal Barraque as the Frenchmen regained momentum, taking a 12-7 advantage.

However, Marcus Tupuola scored a game-tying try with 5:08 remaining but Madison Hughes missed the conversion that would’ve given Team USA a lead late in the second half.

Despite the missed conversion and the French crowd trying to will a victory for the home club, Team USA held on for the draw.

“It’s not many chances you get to play in a packed Stade de France. This is one of the most iconic rugby stadium’s in the world,” Tomasin said. “To open up a tournament against the host — this is what you dream about. A packed stadium in an Olympic opener. It doesn’t get much better than this.”

Team USA will continue Pool C play at 2:30 p.m. ET. They will face a Fiji squad that’s won two straight Olympic gold medals in rugby sevens. Fiji had a dominant 40-12 win over Uruguay in its Paris Olympics opener.

“That’s what we are going to need to do to make it to the medal rounds and make it on the podium,” Team USA’s Perry Baker said.

Team USA has never won a rugby sevens Olympic medal since the sport was introduced at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Powerhouse Fiji dominates U.S. in rugby sevens to lead Pool C. Team USA is in 3rd