Australia squeeze past Samoa in rugby sevens opener

The Australians initially struggled with handling errors, allowing Samoa to take the lead. However, they managed to level the scores just before half time and eventually secured the win with well-executed long passes and solid defense.

Hutchison's two tries, including one in the final seconds, highlighted Australia's dominance, while Samoa's late consolation try was not enough to change the outcome.

France is considered the team to beat in the men's competition, led by superstar Antoine Dupont, who is widely regarded as one of the best 15-a-side rugby players in the world.

However, Fiji has been dominant in the Olympics, winning both Gold medals since the sport was introduced in 2016. Despite a challenging season, Fiji remains a formidable opponent.

Both Fiji and France are in Pool C and are set to face each other in an exciting match on Thursday.

The other teams in the pool are the United States and Uruguay. The men's tournament is expected to be highly competitive, with strong teams like New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, and Ireland also in the mix.

The Olympics provide a global platform for rugby, with matches being played in a packed Stade de France.

World Rugby's chief executive, Alan Gilpin, has described the tournament as a significant moment for the sport, highlighting the unprecedented level of attention it is receiving.

The women's tournament will kick off on Sunday, with Australia and New Zealand emerging as top contenders for the gold medal.