qualified for the medal quarter-finals unbeaten on day two of the men’s Olympic Sevens tournament at Tokyo Stadium. New Zealand will get the last eight under way when they take on Canada, who qualified on point’s difference from Ireland.
Great Britain, who lost their first match of Tokyo 2020 against Fiji will then face USA before South Africa take on Argentina for a place in the semi-finals. The last match of day two will see Rio 2016 gold medalists Fiji play Australia in a mouth-watering clash. Prior to the medal quarter-finals, the ninth-place semi-finals will take place with Ireland facing the Republic of Korea before Kenya play hosts Japan.
BRAID HAT-TRICK HELPS CANADA THROUGH In the opening match of day two Canada did what they needed to do to secure a quarter-final berth, Connor Braid’s hat-trick helping to secure a 36-12 win against Pool B rivals Japan. The hosts had been surprise semi-finalists at Rio 2016 but were knocked out of medal contention as Braid scored two of his side’s three first-half tries to give them a 19-0 lead at the break. After Kazushi Hano had cut the deficit, Braid crossed for a third time before tries from Phil Berna and Justin Douglas confirmed Canada’s win. It was Japan captain Chihito Matsui who had the last say, however, as he streaked away to score the final try of the match.
Fiji, meanwhile, made sure of top spot in Pool B as they repeated their Rio 2016 gold medal match defeat of Great Britain, winning 33-7 at Tokyo Stadium.
The defending champions needed to work hard to beat both Japan and Canada on day one, but came out in dominant mood on Tuesday. Asaeli Tuivuaka scored his second try in as many matches to set Fiji on their way and before the break both Sireli Maqala and Jiuta Wainiqolo touched down under the posts to help their side build a 19-0 lead. Tuivuaka crossed the whitewash for the second time in the match within a minute of the restart, but Great Britain were determined not to let the Fijians run away as they had done in Rio.
Ben Harris got his team on the scoreboard, but as time ticked down the Fijian Defence proved too strong and Aminiasi Tuimaba took advantage to score his side’s 13th try of the pool stage.
