Rugby sevens: 11 teams down, one to go for 2016 Olympics

For the first time, rugby sevens will be contested at the Olympic Games. Here are some previously unpublished photos from the 2015 Hong Kong Sevens men’s event, and a look at some of the teams who have either qualified or are still seeking to do so.

Brazil was the first country to qualify for the men’s rugby sevens debut by virtue of being the host country for the 2016 Olympic Games. (photo by Christiaan Hart / Meniscus Magazine)

Kenya in action at the 2015 Hong Kong Sevens. The team qualified for the Olympics after winning the 2015 Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens Championships. Aside from Kenya and Brazil, the other teams heading to the Olympics include Fiji, South Africa, New Zealand and Great Britain (the top four finishers in the 2014-2015 World Rugby HSBC Sevens Series – Great Britain got in because England came in fourth); Argentina, the United States, France, Japan and Australia. (photo by Christiaan Hart / Meniscus Magazine)

Christopher Russell Maize (pictured) and the Hong Kong squad will attempt to qualify for the Olympics in June at the 2016 Men’s Rugby Sevens Final Olympic Qualification Tournament. The team came agonizingly close in November, finishing as the runner-up to Japan at the 2015 ARFU Men’s Sevens Championships. (photo by Christiaan Hart / Meniscus Magazine)

Only one Olympic berth is left when the 2016 Men’s Rugby Sevens Final Olympic Qualification Tournament takes place in Monaco from June 18-19. In addition to Hong Kong (pictured, center), the other eligible teams include Uruguay, Chile, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Russia, Germany, Ireland, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Samoa, Zimbabwe, Morocco and Tunisia. (photo by Christiaan Hart / Meniscus Magazine)

June 20, 2016 update: Spain became the twelfth and final team to qualify for the 2016 Olympic sevens event after winning the repechage tournament in Monaco, defeating Samoa in the final, 22-19.

Photos: 2015 Hong Kong Sevens
all photos by Christiaan Hart / Meniscus Magazine