A sensational Antoine Dupont scored twice and set up another as he inspired France to claim the gold medal at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 with a 28-7 defeat of Fiji 28-7 in the final match.
Defeating the two-time defending champions, who had never before lost a game of Olympic rugby sevens, the host nation dominated the second half as they scored three unanswered tries to claim their place on top of the podium.
Dupont entered the fray after the break and made an immediate impact, setting up a score for Aaron Grandidier Nkanang to nudge France ahead before scoring a brace of his own to secure gold and consign Fiji to silver.
Meanwhile, South Africa held off a late Australian fightback to win 26-19 and claim the bronze medal. After a disappointing year on the SVNS series and only edging through their pool on points difference, the Blitzboks claimed the scalps of both southern hemisphere giants New Zealand and Australia to match their result in Rio.
Gold medal match: France 28-7 Fiji
The defending champions were the first to score in the gold medal match, a flowing Fiji stretching the French defence to create space for Joseva Talacolo to cross, but France soon had one for themselves, a brilliant run from youngster Andy Timo finding Jefferson-Lee Joseph, who dived over to tie things up at 7-7.
The score stayed the same until the break, but from the kick-off France immediately got themselves ahead, Antoine Dupont running 60 metres before handing the ball to Grandidier Nkanang for the score.
France had the momentum and continued to threaten the Fiji line, and after a string of penalties France eventually had their third through Dupont, muscling over from a tap penalty five metres out.
France could feel the weight of the gold medal around their necks with a minute to go, and with a lineout as the clock went red they went for one last attack, Dupont crossing the line for his second as celebrations engulfed the Stade de France.
Bronze medal match: South Africa 26-19 Australia
Australia’s Nathan Lawson was the first to cross after some scrappy opening phases from both nations, his side absorbing South Africa’s attacking pressure before pouncing on a knock-on, releasing Lawson to stride 40 metres to the line.
Blitzboks captain Selvyn Davids got his side back into the game with a skilful solo try, regathering his own chip kick to draw within two at the break.
Australia’s job got a lot harder after the break as their own captain Nick Malouf was sent off for a high tackle, Zain Davids going over in the corner for South Africa in the same play. Another from Zain Davids soon followed after a mistake from Lawson off the restart.
The game looked all but over, but Corey Toole pulled one back for Australia and Henry Paterson bulldozed over for another a minute later, setting up a grandstand finish. The unlikely comeback was on, but ultimately the overlap proved too much, Shaun Williams dotting down for the deciding score.
Medal semi-finals
France 19-5 South Africa
A nervy but intense opening half saw France and South Africa with attacking opportunities, but aggressive defence from both sides kept the game scoreless at the break.
Unforced errors continued in the second for France, opening the gap for South Africa to break the deadlock, Tristan Leyds crossing for the Rio bronze medallists for the first of the game.
France would soon hit back, however, Rayan Rebbadj scoring and converting to take France ahead before scoring a second to extend the lead to nine. Jordan Sepho would add a celebratory third as the clock went into the red.
Fiji 31-7 Australia
Ben Dowling took Australia into an unlikely early lead in the first half, his try converted by Dietrich Roache, but Fiji levelled things up before the break, Joji Nasova showing too much pace as he went the full length for his score.
Iosefo Baleiwairiki would take Fiji further ahead after the break as they found space down the left, before a beautiful switch from veteran Jerry Tuwai put Iowane Teba under the sticks to make it 21-7. Selesitino Ravutaumada added a fourth and final score to send Fiji to their third consecutive Olympic gold medal match.
Play-offs
New Zealand, Argentina, Kenya and Uruguay all ended their Olympic campaigns with wins in their respective play-offs. Uruguay claimed 11th spot with a 21-10 win over Japan, Kenya edged ninth place with a 10-5 victory over Samoa, Argentina clinched seventh as they cruised to a 19-0 win over the USA, and New Zealand beat Ireland 17-7 in the fifth place play-off.
