The 2024 Paris Olympics‘ quarter-finalists have been confirmed as the thrilling pool stage came to an end.
With just eight teams left able to win the event, it’s worth looking back to see how these teams got here.
Australia
Three wins from three, the pride of Australia got their tournament off to a terrific start yesterday when they dismantled South Africa 34-5 thanks to four individual tries from Maddison Levi. Their fine form continued later that day when they took Great Britain to the cleaners with an even more impressive 36-5 victory, including yet another hattrick from Madison Levi.
Australia ground out their pool victory in a much harder challenge from Ireland, a side that almost missed out on quarter-final qualification as a result.
Great Britain
The men’s contingent failed to qualify for the Olympics, so all the hopes were now resting on the women. They got their tournament underway with an impressive first victory over Ireland, a result that would eventually determine second place in the pool.
After losing heavily to Australia in their second match, and trailing South Africa at halftime in their third, it seemed for all money that Great Britain were set to face an early exit from the main competition. GBR took the game by the stuff of its neck, scraping through at the end thanks to two sharp bits of individual brilliance from the Welsh player, Jasmine Joyce.
is challenged by Maddison Levi of Team Australia during the Women’s Pool B match between Australia and Great Britain of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on July 28, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
France
Looking to emulate the success of the men’s team, France did as much as they could in the pool stages to give themselves as good enough a chance. Scoring over 70 points in their opening two matches, and conceding zero points, put France in prime position to raise the noise level in the Stade de France as they welcomed USA for their final group match.
The impressive Americans started fast, putting the much fancied France on the back foot early on. Their dominance was short-live, however, as 28-year-old French winger Seraphine Okemba got her hands on the ball, scoring four of the most terrific tries to take her team to victory.
USA
A similar build-up to France in the pool stage, but as the two teams came face to face, they were simply unable to deal with the host nation’s power and intensity as the match wore on. USA will need to build upon their physicality if they are to progress further than the quarter-finals.
Canada
The fire that had been lit following Canada’s surprising victory over Fiji in their opening match was quickly extinguished in their second match when New Zealand put over 30 points on the promising side.
This left them with a winner-takes-all clash with China to see who would take the other playoff place alongside the Black Ferns. Having also defeated Fiji, China were set to provide Canada with a challenge. Their final match was a blockbuster, remaining close between the two sides right up until the final few minutes when Canada took their victory.
New Zealand
New Zealand are well known to dominate in both the 15s and 7s in both the men’s and women’s disciplines, so it was no surprise that the Black Ferns had qualification sealed off prior to their final match against Fiji, thanks to comprehensive victories over China and Canada.
Like their neighbours, Australia and hosts France, New Zealand came through their group with flying colours, putting Fiji down comfortably in their final match.
China
After their impressive victory over Fiji, China were highly disappointed to have missed out on automatic qualification for the quarter-finals. Their impressive performances in the group stage didn’t go unrewarded, however, although they had to wait slightly longer to be confirmed as one of the highest points third-place finishers.
Ireland
Ireland will be pleased that they took a 38-point victory over South Africa in their first match which counted towards their positive points difference – the deciding factor in the qualification.
Quarter finals:
New Zealand vs China
Great Britain vs USA
France vs Canada
Australia vs Ireland
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