June 11, 2015

USA eyes Rio 2016 rugby qualification to defend 90-year-old title

The reputation of USA as the most successful rugby nation in the history of Olympics will be under discussion this weekend when the rugby seven’s emerging force will try to secure their place for Rio 2016. Rugby is returning to Olympic games after the absence of nearly a century. 92 years ago a group of American amateurs beat France in an upset to win the gold at the 1924 Paris Olympics.


It implies that USA who was also Olympic champion in 1920 but have become secondary rugby team in the modern age will have to defend the title when the sevens rugby tournament starts in Brazil. However first of all the USA must ensure their place in Rio which they can confirm on Sunday if they win the Olympic qualifiers of North America Caribbean Rugby Association in North Carolina.


Canada which is the dominant force in North American Rugby poses threat to American hopes so far. However the balance e of regional power may have shifted towards the United States with the recent results which also includes an outstanding win in the London leg of the World Sevens Series. The London win including a 45-22 win against Australia in the final after an England win in the quarterfinals was the first ever win of USA in a sevens tournament.

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