The pools were drawn for the World Rugby Sevens Repechage on Saturday 20 April at an event in Monaco ahead of the crucial final qualification tournament to decide the last remaining men’s and women’s teams to compete at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 rugby sevens.

The three-day Repechage event will take place at Stade Louis II in Monaco on 21-23 June, 2024, returning to the venue that also hosted final qualification events prior to the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The pool draw was attended by Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, accompanied by World Rugby Vice Chaiman John Jeffrey.

The tournament will feature 12 women’s and 12 men’s teams all vying to achieve the ultimate prize of representing their country on the biggest global sporting stage of them all.

The men’s competition will be decided between Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Great Britain, Hong Kong China, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Spain, Tonga and Uganda.

South Africa’s Blitzboks will be strong contenders after winning the first round of HSBC SVNS 2024 in Dubai in December, while Canada, Great Britain and Spain are also core teams on the top level rugby sevens circuit.

The women’s tournament looks wide open and will feature Argentina, China, Czechia, Hong Kong China, Kenya, Jamaica, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Poland, Samoa and Uganda with Czechia making their Repechage debut.

Rugby sevens is set to provide an unforgettable curtain raiser at Stade de France as the first sport to kick-off the Olympic Games in Paris on 24 July 2024, two days ahead of the Opening Ceremony.

All six World Rugby regions are represented among the 11 men’s and 11 women’s teams that have already secured their spots in Paris via the HSBC SVNS and regional qualification competitions.

In the men’s event, hosts France are joined by New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji and Australia who booked their places in Paris by ranking in the top four positions of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023, along with six regional qualification tournament winners in Uruguay (South America), Ireland (Europe), USA (North America), Kenya (Africa), Samoa (Oceania) and Japan (Asia).

Men’s Pools

The women’s Olympic line-up includes New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and USA as the top four qualifiers through the 2023 World Series, along with hosts France. They have been joined by Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, South Africa, Fiji and Japan as regional qualification tournament winners in the women’s tournament.

Women’s Pools

Paris 2024 is rugby sevens’ third appearance at the Games, and the sport is expected to be one of the most highly anticipated events of the Paris Games, following the outstanding success of Rugby World Cup 2023 in France. Remaining tickets are available via the Paris 2024 website here.

Fiji’s men have dominated the Olympic competition to date with double gold medal success on debut at Rio 2016 and again in Tokyo five years later. New Zealand are the reigning women’s Olympic champions and Australia won the inaugural women’s Olympic gold medal in Rio.

MORE ABOUT RUGBY AT THE OLYMPICS >>

The inclusion of rugby sevens for the in the Olympic Games at Rio 2016 had a profound effect on the sport, attracting an estimated 30 million new fans globally.  Rugby sevens is set to bring a party atmosphere to the start of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 with music, a vibrant and colourful crowd alongside the incredible skill, speed and passion on show from some of the best athletes in the world on the pitch.

The Olympic Final Qualification Tournament comes at a hugely exciting time for rugby sevens.  The relaunched HSBC SVNS Series has been thrilling audiences around the world and will climax with the final round in Singapore on 3-5 May before the inaugural Grand Final event in Madrid on 31 May – 2 June.

World Rugby Vice-Chairman John Jeffrey said: “Today’s pool draw marks an exciting step for the 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams aiming to claim their place in Paris and fulfil their Olympic dreams by winning the World Rugby Sevens Repechage.

“Rugby sevens has proved to be a hot ticket for the Paris 2024 Games and we are confident this will represent the sports’ coming of age on the Olympic stage following its debut at Rio 2016 followed by the Covid-affected Tokyo 2020.

“Our thanks and gratitude to Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco and the Fédération Monégasque de Rugby for hosting this prestigious event and attending the pool draw. We have no doubt that the 24 competing teams will be very warmly welcomed to Monaco and have every opportunity to showcase the best of their abilities as they chase that all important prize, a ticket to the Olympic Games in Paris.”

With thanks to World Rugby

It was an action-packed day full of plot twists and high drama at the HSBC SVNS in Los Angeles as the cast of rugby sevens stars dazzled to produce shock results and thrilling performances.

VIEW HSBC SVNS LA RESULTS, FIXTURES & POOLS >>

At the end of a day full of firsts in the fifth round of HSBC SVNS 2024 at Dignity Health Sports Park, all four teams left in the race for the men’s title are from Europe.

There were scenes of elation as Spain completed a stunning comeback to beat Fiji by 21-19 and reach their first cup semi-final in HSBC SVNS history at the twelfth attempt having lost their previous 11 quarter-final appearances.

Two cards were the undoing of a five-man Fiji side that had led 19-0 at the half-time whistle. In a quarter final stage full of upsets, Ireland also knocked out HSBC SVNS series leaders Argentina and Great Britain beat Australia.

The Irish, who themselves had only scraped through Pool A, beat Los Pumas by 14-24 to take their place against France in the semi-finals, while Great Britain scored at the death to win 26-19 and book their semi-final date with Spain.

France broke home fans hearts, beating the USA 14-0 in the quarter-final as Antoine Dupont continued his impressive conversion to rugby sevens, opening the scoring with a solo try.

Spain’s Francisco Cosculluela said: “First time we’ve got to the semi-finals so it’s history for us. I am feeling very, very emotional because this group has trained too hard, too much, and the work is paying off. We are very happy, very happy. We want more. We want to go the final, we want to win the semi so we’re not done yet.”

“I always dreamed of beating Fiji, always watching them on the TV when I was little, and now I’m here in LA against them and to win the semi-final. Very happy for the team.”

READ MEN’S DAY TWO REPORT >>

There were also unexpected results in the women’s competition as South Africa progressed to the quarter-final stage for the first time this season after a surprise 19-7 victory over Olympic bronze medallists Fiji in Pool A.

Vancouver champions New Zealand took top spot in the pool after three wins from three, but the faltering Fijiana lost to both South Africa and Brazil to fall out of the knockout places.

Elsewhere, Australia waltzed to the summit of Pool B and hosts USA held off a lively Canada to top Pool C, the former facing Brazil in the next round with the USA playing South Africa. France will take on Canada and New Zealand face Ireland in the remaining quarter-finals.

New Zealand’s Tyla King (nee Nathan-Wong) who became all-time top point-scorer in women’s SVNS today said: “That’s pretty awesome to hear that, especially when most of those points come from the right boot and not from scoring tries.”

“I think it’s been awesome programming in the first place by the New Zealand management over the years to be able to keep us girls healthy and out there,” she added when asked about the secret to her longevity. “Obviously I’ve had my fair few injuries over the years and missed a couple of seasons here or there. I think just having that pure love for the game too and wanting to stay competitive with these young ones too.”

READ WOMEN’S DAY TWO REPORT >>

Prior to Los Angeles, Argentina held a 24 point lead in the men’s standings, having claimed three gold and one silver medals from the opening four rounds. Argentina have 78 points, ahead of Ireland and Fiji on 54 points.

Australia top the women’s standings with 72 points ahead of New Zealand in second on 66 points and France a further four points behind on 62 points.

VIEW CURRENT SVNS 2024 STANDINGS >>

The action continues at 09:30 local time (GMT-8) on Sunday with women’s quarter-finals from 10:14. The semi-finals are scheduled at 13:46 and the event reaches its climax with the women’s and men’s finals at 17:43 and 18:32 respectively.

WHERE TO WATCH >>

You can watch the HSBC SVNS action wherever you are in the world, either via broadcaster partners or online on RugbyPass TV.

Fans attending the HSBC SVNS Los Angeles will be treated to a festival of world class sport, music, entertainment, culture and cuisine as the global celebration of rugby sevens continues in La La Land. With a music line-up headlined by Sophie Lloyd, tickets are available from $45 for finals day on Sunday at www.svns.com.

In keeping with rugby sevens tradition, fans are encouraged to come in their most creative costumes and enter into the festival atmosphere.

It was an action-packed day full of plot twists and high drama at the HSBC SVNS in Los Angeles as the cast of rugby sevens stars dazzled to produce shock results and thrilling performances.

VIEW HSBC SVNS LA RESULTS, FIXTURES & POOLS >>

At the end of a day full of firsts in the fifth round of HSBC SVNS 2024 at Dignity Health Sports Park, all four teams left in the race for the men’s title are from Europe.

There were scenes of elation as Spain completed a stunning comeback to beat Fiji by 21-19 and reach their first cup semi-final in HSBC SVNS history at the twelfth attempt having lost their previous 11 quarter-final appearances.

Two cards were the undoing of a five-man Fiji side that had led 19-0 at the half-time whistle. In a quarter final stage full of upsets, Ireland also knocked out HSBC SVNS series leaders Argentina and Great Britain beat Australia.

The Irish, who themselves had only scraped through Pool A, beat Los Pumas by 14-24 to take their place against France in the semi-finals, while Great Britain scored at the death to win 26-19 and book their semi-final date with Spain.

France broke home fans hearts, beating the USA 14-0 in the quarter-final as Antoine Dupont continued his impressive conversion to rugby sevens, opening the scoring with a solo try.

Spain’s Francisco Cosculluela said: “First time we’ve got to the semi-finals so it’s history for us. I am feeling very, very emotional because this group has trained too hard, too much, and the work is paying off. We are very happy, very happy. We want more. We want to go the final, we want to win the semi so we’re not done yet.”

“I always dreamed of beating Fiji, always watching them on the TV when I was little, and now I’m here in LA against them and to win the semi-final. Very happy for the team.”

READ MEN’S DAY TWO REPORT >>

There were also unexpected results in the women’s competition as South Africa progressed to the quarter-final stage for the first time this season after a surprise 19-7 victory over Olympic bronze medallists Fiji in Pool A.

Vancouver champions New Zealand took top spot in the pool after three wins from three, but the faltering Fijiana lost to both South Africa and Brazil to fall out of the knockout places.

Elsewhere, Australia waltzed to the summit of Pool B and hosts USA held off a lively Canada to top Pool C, the former facing Brazil in the next round with the USA playing South Africa. France will take on Canada and New Zealand face Ireland in the remaining quarter-finals.

New Zealand’s Tyla King (nee Nathan-Wong) who became all-time top point-scorer in women’s SVNS today said: “That’s pretty awesome to hear that, especially when most of those points come from the right boot and not from scoring tries.”

“I think it’s been awesome programming in the first place by the New Zealand management over the years to be able to keep us girls healthy and out there,” she added when asked about the secret to her longevity. “Obviously I’ve had my fair few injuries over the years and missed a couple of seasons here or there. I think just having that pure love for the game too and wanting to stay competitive with these young ones too.”

READ WOMEN’S DAY TWO REPORT >>

Prior to Los Angeles, Argentina held a 24 point lead in the men’s standings, having claimed three gold and one silver medals from the opening four rounds. Argentina have 78 points, ahead of Ireland and Fiji on 54 points.

Australia top the women’s standings with 72 points ahead of New Zealand in second on 66 points and France a further four points behind on 62 points.

VIEW CURRENT SVNS 2024 STANDINGS >>

The action continues at 09:30 local time (GMT-8) on Sunday with women’s quarter-finals from 10:14. The semi-finals are scheduled at 13:46 and the event reaches its climax with the women’s and men’s finals at 17:43 and 18:32 respectively.

WHERE TO WATCH >>

You can watch the HSBC SVNS action wherever you are in the world, either via broadcaster partners or online on RugbyPass TV.

Fans attending the HSBC SVNS Los Angeles will be treated to a festival of world class sport, music, entertainment, culture and cuisine as the global celebration of rugby sevens continues in La La Land. With a music line-up headlined by Sophie Lloyd, tickets are available from $45 for finals day on Sunday at www.svns.com.

In keeping with rugby sevens tradition, fans are encouraged to come in their most creative costumes and enter into the festival atmosphere.