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Star-studded cast confirmed for the SuperSevens opening round
By Liam Heagney
The growing interest in rugby sevens in France potentially takes another step forward this Saturday with a star-studded opening round of the In Extenso SuperSevens in Mont-de-Marsan featuring Argentina’s Marcos Moneta and Juan Imhoff as well as Semi Kunatani, the 2016 Olympics gold medal winner in Rio with Fiji.
It was the Antoine Dupont-inspired French that finished as men’s champions at Paris 2024 at the end of July following three sold-out days at Stade de France, compelling action that was followed by three more sold-out attendances for the women’s sevens competition won by New Zealand.
Now, three weeks after Dupont and co were crowned Olympic champions, the short-game focus in France switches to the enhanced SuperSevens, the first professional sevens club championship in the country which this season has three rounds scheduled – Mont-de-Marsan this Saturday, La Rochelle on August 24 and Pau August 31 – before culminating with a finals day at Paris La Defense Arena on February 1.
Sixteen teams will go to post this Saturday at Stade Guy Boniface, with Vannes kicking off the knockout round of 16 programme versus Monaco, who have powerful Fijian winger Kunatani, the ex-Harlequins and Toulouse player, on their roster.
Other opening round fixtures are Stade Francais-Montpellier, Clermont-La Rochelle, the Baa-Baas versus a Racing team featuring Imhoff, and Pau, who have the Maddocks brothers Jack and Will, versus Bayonne. Bordeaux, who have signed Moneta and Luciano Gonzalez, are pitted against Perpignan, while Castres-Toulon and Lyon-Toulouse complete the round of 16 schedule.
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Latest Comments
Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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