Paris 2024: Shujaa eye revenge against Samoa in 9th place final as semis action heats up

The men’s national rugby 7s side, Shujaa, will be eyeing revenge when they come up against Samoa in the ninth-place final match at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Saturday evening.

Shujaa saw their minimal hopes of recording a group stage win in an Olympic tournament for the first time completely thwarted after succumbing to a 26-0 defeat against the Oceanic outfit in their last match in Pool B.

As a result, the Kevin Wambua-currently coached side finished last in their group following initial losses to Australia and Argentina.

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Having recorded their first win in Paris by beating Uruguay 19-14 in the 9th place semis, Kenya will be seeking to end on a high and exact their revenge.

Elsewhere, South Africa’s Blitzboks ended New Zealand’s medal hopes with a defensive masterclass in the opening quarter-final, before hosts France played their best rugby at Paris 2024 to get the better of Argentina.

South Africa – the lowest-ranked team in the quarter-finals – pulled off a surprise 14-7 win over Tokyo Olympic finalists New Zealand to book their place in the last four in Paris.

Ireland threatened to spring a major shock against reigning double Olympic champions Fiji but the Oceanic giants manage to get answers as they came from behind to make it 16 wins from 16 Olympic matches.

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A first half double from Chay Mullins and Zac Ward’s superb run-in early in the second period looked to have set Ireland well on the way to the shock of the tournament after Iosefo Baleiwairiki had scored the game’s opening try.

But Joji Nasova and Waisea Nacuqu touched down in quick succession to overturn an eight-point deficit – by far the biggest Fiji have had to overcome in a knockout match at the Games and book a place in their third successive Olympic semi-final.

Hosts France will play South Africa in the last four after they overcame rivals Argentina 26-14 in thrilling fashion in the most anticipated quarter-final of the evening.

With a packed Stade de France creating an epic atmosphere, France played their best rugby of the tournament so far, racing into a 21-0 first-half lead. Andy Timo scored their first try after four minutes, finishing a long period in attack in exultant fashion.

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And Aaron Grandidier Nkanang scored twice in two minutes to get a partisan Stade de France party crowd on their feet.

Rodrigo Isgró pulled one back for Argentina early in the second half, and Marcos Moneta added a second with two minutes left on the clock, after Jordan Sepho was sin-binned to set French nerves tingling.

But Les Bleus Sevens kept hold of the ball for the closing moments – and Antoine Dupont ghosted through a gap for the final word.

Tries from James Turner and Corey Toole were enough for Australia to book their place in the last four in the final match of quarter-finals night at Stade de France.

The Australians were just too organised for Mike Friday’s USA, and thought they had gone further ahead midway through the second period, but Toole was adjudged to have been forced into touch as he dived over in the corner.

As the seconds ticked down, Maurice Longbottom kicked a rare penalty – only the third in Olympic history – to confirm Australia’s place in the medal semi-finals. And there was still time for him to round off the scoring with a late try.

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Playing Schedule

Semifinals

South Africa vs France – 1630

Fiji vs Australia – 1700

Fifth place semis

New Zealand vs Argentina - 1530

Ireland vs USA - 1600

Ninth place final – Kenya vs Samoa – 1800

Eleventh place final – Japan vs Uruguay - 1730

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