Well that was a pretty good start to rugby’s place in the Olympics.

Congratulations are due to the Canadian women for getting a surprise bronze medal. I didn’t see the game, but apparently it was an inept performance by GB. Congratulations also to the Aussies for grabbing the gold off New Zealand.

The past few days have been taken up with the men’s tournament. The Americans ended up 9th, having narrowly lost to both Argentina and Fiji, and missing making the quarter finals by just a single point. Still, they have no one but themselves to blame after a dreadful error in the last minute lost them the game against Argentina. No shame losing to Fiji, of course. In fact running them so close is heroic.

The quarter finals produced some of the best Sevens rugby I have seen in a long time. Fiji held off a spirited second half fight back from New Zealand. Japan scored in the last minute to beat France (having previously beaten New Zealand in the group stage). GB beat Argentina in extra time after an epic defensive duel that ended 0-0 at full time. Only South Africa’s demolition of Australia was dull.

The semi-finals saw GB involved in another titanic struggle, finally beating South Africa 7-5. Fiji crushed brave Japan and went on the cruise through the final as well. It was expected, but no less delightful for all that. Rugby is Fiji’s national sport, and that gold was the first Olympic medal the country has ever won.