Fiji is poised for a rematch against France in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Sevens rugby tournament, following a dominant performance in the pool stage where they secured victories against New Zealand, the United States, and Spain. This matchup is highly anticipated as it replicates the Paris Olympics final where Fiji’s aspirations for a third consecutive gold were thwarted by France.
It’s worth noting that France will be competing without star player Antoine Dupont, who was recently named the men’s world sevens player of the year. The teams have seen considerable roster changes following the Olympics, resulting in 91 debuts among men’s and women’s teams.
Argentina also remained undefeated in the pool games and is set to face Australia in the quarterfinals. In the men’s quarterfinals, notable matchups include Great Britain versus Spain, South Africa against New Zealand, and Argentina taking on Australia.
Interestingly, both the men’s and women’s Spanish teams have advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2019, marking a significant achievement. The men’s team made headlines by defeating New Zealand 26-14 for only the third time in their series history, while the women’s squad triumphed over France with a score of 24-12.
As the tournament progresses, fans can look forward to exciting matches that highlight emerging talent in the sport, reflecting the fresh energy injected into these teams after the Olympics.
Overall, this stage serves as an excellent platform for teams to showcase new players and strategies, creating an exhilarating environment for rugby enthusiasts.
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