Team USA’s rugby squad is gearing up for their shot at their first-ever Olympic medal as the Paris Games’ rugby sevens tournament kicks off on Sunday.
This will only be the third time rugby sevens has been featured in the Olympics, with its debut taking place at the 2016 Rio Games.
How the Olympic rugby sevens tournament works
Unlike traditional rugby with 15-player teams and 40-minute halves, rugby sevens consists of seven-player squads competing through two seven-minute halves. The Olympic tournament is played over three consecutive days to reflect the sped-up nature of the sport.
Twelve teams are divided into three groups of four for round-robin pool play, earning points (three for a win, two for a draw, and one for a loss) from Sunday, July 28th to the first half of Monday, July 29th.
The top two teams from each group plus the next two best teams overall advance to the quarterfinals on Monday afternoon.
On Tuesday, July 30th, teams eliminated from the playoffs will compete in “placing” matches to determine their official Olympic ranking. These matches run alongside the semifinals before concluding with the bronze and gold medal matches.
Veterans lead Team USA’s Olympic charge
Team USA seeks to improve on their fifth and sixth place finishes in Rio and Tokyo, respectively, relying on the experience of their veteran players. Seven of the 12 players on the team have Olympic experience, with co-captains Lauren Doyle and Alev Kelter leading the way. Doyle and fellow veteran Naya Tapper, along with standout Ilona Maher, form a strong team with hopes of reaching the podium.
To achieve their first Olympic medal, the US team will have to face tough competition from top teams like Australia, New Zealand, and Team GB, who are determined to redeem their fourth-place finishes from previous Olympics.
How to watch the US rugby sevens squad
Team USA kicks off pool play against Japan at 10:30 AM ET, followed by a match against Brazil at 2 PM ET on Sunday, July 28th, with live coverage available on NBC platforms.
