The opening day of the World Rugby Olympic Repechage competition at Louis II Stadium in Monaco produced no surprises with the favorite teams posting wins ahead of the crucial second day on Saturday.

Spain, Canada, Great Britain, South Africa and Chile each posted wins in the men’s category where Papua New Guinea failed to travel. Although three core teams in the World Series, Great Britain, Spain, South Africa and Canada (relegated after this season) remained the talk of the opening matches, second tier teams such as Chile made their intentions known with a bruising 14-5 win over Tonga. 

The women’s competition is a mixed bag with China, recently promoted to core status dictating the pace after a resounding 55-0 win over Mexico in their opening match. 

At the end of the tunnel is one remaining slot in the Olympic Games next month in Paris, France. All these teams finished second in their regional competitions and have a second bite of the cherry for that elusive Olympics qualification.

SA looked strong

In the men’s category, South Africa, beaten by Kenya in Harare Zimbabwe, looked strong against Mexico with a comfortable 44-0 win.

The other African team, Uganda found the going tough against Canada – relegated from the World Series this season – losing 12-31. Adrian Kasito scored the two tries for Uganda with Philip Wokorach managing one conversion.

Canada’s tries were from Ethan Hager, Matt Oworu (2), Phil Berna and Cooper Coats who also kicked over three conversions. On Saturday, Uganda have a tough outing against China and Great Britain while South Africa play against Tonga and Chile.

Uganda’s women’s team atoned for the men’s defeat with a clean sheet over Jamaica. The captain, Peace Lekuru scored two tries while Lydia Namabiro, Lorna Amoli and Grace Nabaggala added one each. Nabaggala and Mayimuna Nassozi slotted one conversion each.

Kenya Lionesses, the other African team in the women’s competition were spectators after their opponents Papua New Guinea failed to fly to Monaco. Kenya are up against Argentina, a team they have beaten twice in the Repechage competition and Samoa on the second day. Uganda has Hong Kong, China and Paraguay in their sights.

Results

Women

Pool D: Argentina, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Samoa

Argentina 26 Samoa 5, 

Pool E: Hong Kong China, Jamaica, Paraguay, Uganda

Hong Kong China 33 Paraguay 15, Uganda 29 Jamaica 0, 

Pool F: China, Czechia, Mexico, Poland

Poland 24 Czechia 7, China 55 Mexico 0, 

Men

Pool A: Chile, Mexico, South Africa, Tonga

Chile 14 Tonga 5, South Africa 44 Mexico 0.

Pool B: Canada, China, Great Britain, Uganda

Canada 31 Uganda 12, Great Britain 35 China 19, 

Pool C: Brazil, Hong Kong China, Papua New Guinea, Spain.

Spain 38 Brazil 0,

Already qualified

Men: Argentina, Australia, Fiji, France, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Samoa, USA, Uruguay.

Women: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain , Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, USA.