The sporting schedule is about to be set alight across the next two-and-a-half weeks, as the world sets its sights on Paris.
New Zealand will be sending a 195-person team, with 28 sports, ranging from swimming to sport climbing, being covered by that travelling party.
Day 1 brings a thin schedule, but that doesn’t mean that there’s no value to be found across the events. With Football and Rugby Sevens the only two events taking place, we’ve circled our best bets across the board.
Thursday, 1:30am
The first game on the Sevens schedule is set up to be a complete mismatch. Samoa were the victims of World Rugby’s new SVNS format, being relegated, alongside Canada, in the first season that the governing body introduced a relegation/promotion format.
That came on the back of a poor SVNS season, where the Samoans finished second-last in a season where their best tournament finish was in sixth-place. That was some seven months ago now, and Australia, on the other hand, found themselves finishing the SVNS regular season in the top four, before an underwhelming finals tournament in Madrid meant that they officially finished seventh.
Maurice Longbottom had an outstanding season as the main playmaker for the Australians, while Nathan Lawson finished as the series’ fourth-top try scorer, with 24. Add in the flair of Henry Hutchison, and Super Rugby stars Corey Toole and Mark Nawaqanitawase, and this is a clear mismatch.
Thursday, 2:30am
France head into the tournament as the favourites to win gold on their home soil. That comes on the back of winning the 2023/24 SVNS series championship in Madrid last month, beating Argentina in the Championship game 19-5. Finishing the season in fifth, Les Bleus headed into the finals tournament as outsiders, but picked up wins over Australia, Great Britain, Fiji and the aforementioned Argentina to win the big prize, but don’t expect them to have it all their way in Paris.
The USA had an underwhelming SVNS season, missing out on the top eight by one point to Great Britain. It was an unfortunate way to enter the finals tournament, but they did themselves proud there, comfortably beating Germany, Uruguay, Canada and Samoa to keep their spot on the circuit for 2025 and find some form heading to Paris.
Recent clashes against France have not been particularly one-sided, with Les Bleus winning three of five this past season. The USA won the most recent game, just three months ago, and they won’t roll over easily.
Thursday, 3:30am
Ireland were latecomers to the elite level of Rugby Sevens, but they began a rapid rise at the turn of the decade and they reached new heights in the 2023/24 SVNS season. Finishing the series in second place, they entered the finals with confidence but ultimately fell flat in the decisive tournament, finishing fifth. The team that they beat in the fifth-place playoff? South Africa.
The Blitzboks had a hot start to the season, winning the first tournament in Dubai, but fell off after that, wrapping up the regular season in seventh. Following their win in Dubai, South Africa failed to finish better than fifth in any of the remaining six tournaments and there are a lot of signs indicating that their struggles will continue in Paris.
Ireland won five of the six meetings between these two teams in the SVNS series this past season and are good value to continue that good run of form over the Blitzboks.
Thursday, 3:00am
It’s been 56 years since Guinea last sent a men’s football team to this tournament, but that long absence will come to an end on Thursday morning. It’s a strong Guinea team, featuring a host of players who ply their trade across europe, including the promising Aguibou Camara, his Olympiacos teammate Algassime Bah and Getafe’s Algassime Bah, the West Africans will be fielding a dangerous squad in Paris.
There is a strong Wellington Phoenix presence among this New Zealand team, with six current Phoenix players in the squad. That’s excluding Ben Old and Alex Paulsen, meaning there will be a strong sense of familiarity among the kiwis. Other Phoenix alumni, including defender Michael Boxall, midfielder Sarpreet Singh and attacker Ben Waine will have heavy involvement in the matches, and this youthful New Zealand team won’t be shy to have a crack.
Thursday, 7:00am
France bring a star-studded team to their home-ground, with Alexandre Lacazette the biggest of names in a squad that will be managed by the legendary Thierry Henry. The two other older dispensation players (born before 1 January 2001) are Jean-Philippe Mateta and Loïc Bade, making for a strong foundation for this team, which is filled out by young talent such as Michael Olise, Rayan Chekri and Castello Lukeba, Les Tricolores will be a force in Paris.
Their first opponent is the USA, who will want to make their presence felt after the senior men’s team underwhelmed in the Copa America. Walker Zimmerman, Miles Robinson and Djordje Mihailovic are their dispensated players, while Gianluca Busio headlines the under 23s contingent. This isn’t a squad that will trouble the hosts and the French will pick up three points to start their campaign.
Men’s Football
Thursday, 3:00am: Match 1 v Guinea
Men’s Rugby Sevens
4:00am Thursday: Match 1 v Japan
7:30am Thursday: Match 2 v South Africa