Australia and Samoa look all but certain to meet in the final of the Oceania Sevens tournament on Sunday with the winners gaining instant qualification to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The two nations have been the dominant forces in the Oceania Sevens tournament’s history. Samoa has won four times and never finished worse than third, while Australia has won twice – in 2010 and 2012.
Fiji are the reigning champions but won’t be there to contest the title this year as they and New Zealand are not taking part, having already qualified for Rugby Sevens in Rio.
The tournament started in Auckland on Saturday with two pools stages taking place. Australia dominated in pool A which also contains Tonga, the Cook Islands and Nauru.
Samoa were similarly dominant in pool B, also containing Papua New Guinea, Soloman Islands and American Samoa.
Australia won all three of their matches defeating Nauru 62-0 and Tonga 49-0, giving up their only points of the day to Cook Islands who they beat 48-7.
Samoa defeated Solomon Islands 48-0 and American Samoa 50-0, but gave up some ground – albeit only a little – to Papua New Guinea who they beat 41-7.
It was a wildly unbalanced day of play as the gap between the top teams and the bottom was made very clear. Of the twelve matches played, the losing team was held scoreless in nine.
The only match that could be described as a competitive affair was between American Samoa and the Solomon Islands, which American Samoa won 17-7.
Australia and Samoa look like they will have easy paths to the final when the knockout stage starts tomorrow.
Australia face American Samoa first up and assuming they win will face Papua New Guinea or Cook Islands for a spot in the final.
Samoa come up against Nauru in the first stage of the finals and presuming they’re victorious will play Tonga or Solomon Islands for their spot in the final.
The winner of the final gains automatic qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics, however, it’s not all over for the loser.
Second and third place in the tournament will both go through to the Final Olympic Qualification Tournament where they’ll have one last chance to make the grade.
That gives the third-place game some real bite – Papua New Guinea look to be the most likely to finish there and earn themselves a further chance at qualification.
Will the Australians guarantee themselves a spot at Rio? Or will they have to take up the fight again in the final qualification tournament? We’ll find out later today.
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