Power, pace, shocks and excitement: rugby sevens had it all at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
The sport has moved on since its highly successful Olympic debut at Rio 2016. Despite losing the 2020 season to the global pandemic, the skill-levels shown in Japan were on another level
There was plenty of pre-tournament hype, with many of the world’s top 15-a-side players like Portia Woodman, Semi Radradra and Samu Kerevi signing up for a crack at Olympic gold.
While these players all delivered, a new generation of players also took their opportunity on the sport’s biggest stage. Try-scoring machines Marcos Moneta and Reapi Ulunisau thrilled with every touch of the ball, and ensured that the sport has a very exciting future
Below, we take a look back at the most memorable moments from six nerve-jangling days of action, a recap of the medal winners, and who to look out for at the Paris 2024 Olympics in just three years' time!
Top 5 rugby moments at Tokyo 2020
Here are some of the highlights from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which took place in 2021.
1: New Zealand finally get their gold
New Zealand's women took home the gold medal at Tokyo 2020, the one prize in the sport that had so far eluded their all-conquering team.
Speedster Michaela Blyde was their outstanding player, scoring her seventh try of the Games in the final against a talented French team.
"Man, this team has been through a lot over the last five years and we're bringing home a gold medal,” NZ captain Sarah Hirini said after. “I'm just so proud. We love each other. It's pretty special. We've been together for two months now. It's such a special group and this is the last time we'll be playing together as a team.”
After being pipped by Australia in the Rio 2016 gold medal match, the win also represented redemption for the Black Ferns.
The emotion was clear at the final whistle, with a spine-tingling rendition of their haka ceremonial dance.
2: Fiji provide joy to their nation
Fiji men’s rugby captured the hearts of many when they won the Pacific Islands’ first-ever Olympic gold medal at Rio 2016.
It was always going to be difficult to back that up, but they did it in style.
Playing their usual brand of swashbuckling rugby, full of pace and power, they overcame pre-tournament favourites New Zealand in a thrilling final to retain their Olympic title.
The only survivor from the Rio team was captain Jerry Tuwai, who may have lost a touch of pace, but none of his magic playmaking ability. What a leader he has become in that team.
The victory could not have come for a better time in Fiji, providing some respite for a nation that has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
3: Argentina win with five men
With only seven players to cover a whole rugby pitch, losing a player to the sin-bin after an offence is usually fatal in rugby 7s .
In the men’s quarter-finals, Argentina were forced to play against a daunting South Africa team with six men for over 11 minutes following Gaston Revol’s red card. They even went down to five men for a brief period after a late yellow card.
But the South Americans wouldn’t be denied. In an amazing display of team spirit and courage, they won the match and progressed to the semi-finals. Understandably, the exhausted team celebrated like they had won gold after.
A new star was born in the form of Marcos Moneta, who scored two breathtaking, length of the field tries.
Moneta, alongside fellow 2018 Youth Olympic Games gold-medallists Ignacio Mendy and Lucio Cinti, formed the backbone of an exciting team.
4: France’s semi-final thriller
With the Paris 2024 Olympics looming, it’s perhaps no surprise that the French women’s team put on such a great show.
They were excellent value for their silver medal after losing to a dominant New Zealand team in the final.
But their greatest moment came in the semis against Great Britain. After building an early lead, France let their opponents back into the match, leveling the scores at 19-19.
After an opportunist score from Anne-Cecile Ciofani took Les Bleus back into the lead, France bravely defended their line for the rest of the game to close out the match 26-19.
5: Fijiana cause a stir
It wasn’t only the Fijian men’s team that brought joy to their island.
The Fijiana women’s team were the surprise package of their competition, surprising teams with raw pace and creativity to bring home the bronze medal.
Despite losing their two most experienced players in the run up to Tokyo 2020, Fiji also unearthed several new stars at the Games.
Headlining that list is former netball player Reapi Ulunisau, who only joined the international circuit in June 2021.
The 26-year-old became the first player of any nation to score four tries in a single match at the Olympic Games during Fiji’s pool match against Brazil.
The Fijiana’s dream run finally ended in the semi-finals, where New Zealand scored a try in extra-time to clinch a dramatic 22-17 win.
One last look
France’s silver medal was a fitting finish for their inspirational captain Fanny Horta.
At 35-years-old, Tokyo 2020 will almost certainly be her final Olympic appearance for the national sevens team.
The wing / centre played at the Rio 2016 Games and has been a lynchpin in the French back line for eight years.
“We really wanted to get the gold and impose our way of playing, but it was very complicated with a lack of possession," Horta said after her team’s final defeat to New Zealand. "We have to be proud of what we have achieved.
Hello Paris
With so much young talent coming through, Fiji’s men and New Zealand’s women will likely be the teams to watch out for in three year’s time at Paris 2024.
But they certainly won’t have it all their own way. If the Fijiana women’s team carry on at their current rate of progression and retain stars like Ulinisau, they will stand a good chance of upgrading their bronze medal from Tokyo.
The French women’s team will also take confidence from their silver medal, and will be extra motivated on home soil to deliver gold. Watch out for their 19-year-old flyer Chloe Jacquet.
On the men’s side, keep an eye on Argentina who have an abundance of raw speed coming through the ranks.
When and where to watch rugby sevens replays on Olympics.com
The answer is: olympics.com/tokyo2020-replays
When do the rugby sevens teams compete next?
The men’s World Rugby Sevens Series begins 18-19 September in Vancouver, while the women’s series kicks off in Dubai, 3-4 December.
Full medals list in rugby sevens at Tokyo 2020
Men's
Gold: Fiji
Silver: New Zealand
Bronze: Argentina
Women's
Gold: New Zealand
Silver: France
Bronze: Fiji