Malouf confident about Sevens Olympic progress on 100 day countdown to Opening Ceremony

Wed, Apr 17, 2024, 6:08 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Nathan Lawson draws first blood in the quarter-final of SVNS Hong Kong 2024

Australia Men's Sevens captain Nick Malouf believes the squad is tracking in the right direction as the build towards the Paris Olympics ramps up.

Malouf was one of several athletes modelling the formal outfits, exactly 100 days before the Opening Ceremony.

Catch every game of the SVNS World Series LIVE, ad-free and on demand on Stan Sport.

For John Manenti's side, they will be the first Australians to compete at the 2024 Olympics, with their pool games set to take place two days before the ceremony.

Before that, the team will focus on taking out the SVNS world series, locking up their place in the Madrid Final in June after a fourth-place finish in Hong Kong.

“It’s super exciting and it’s now where it is all starting to feel we’re getting close,” Malouf told Rugby.com.au

“I think Paris is the ultimate goal but we also have a world series we can win having qualified for Madrid.

“We’ve got a big break now before Singapore knowing we can go hard now and we’ve locked up for the Final and hopefully then go well in Madrid and Paris."

The Australians have struggled for consistency in 2024, missing the semi-finals in the North America legs after back-to-back Finals in Cape Town and Perth.

However, the fourth-place finish in Hong Kong has buoyed the side on, defeating South Africa and Fiji across the weekend.

“We were very disappointed after the North American legs to not make semis so the Hong Kong leg was a very good performance

“I thought the quarter-final was arguably our best and something we’ve spoken about as being the biggest game of the week to give yourself a chance at the medals.

“We’re pleased with (Hong Kong) but disappointed we couldn’t go further into the medals. I think we’re on the right track.”

Having banked wins over the top teams on the circuit, Malouf was adamant they could push for a medal as long as they deliver consistently.

“In an Olympics year, you’re trying to build that belief so we know we can match it with the best sides

“I think at times it has been inconsistent but at least we know we can do it so now as we get into the deeper parts of the season, it’s about doing it consistently.

“We’re taking belief from having beaten those teams at various points of the season.”

Share

Latest News

Manenti relishing tough Singapore draw as he reflects on 'up-front' Hooper chat
Wilson to debut as superstars Caslick, Smale to miss Singapore
Australia Sevens draw brutal pools for Singapore
Nathan, Longbottom named in Hong Kong Dream Team as Australia secure places in Madrid Final