“I’ll probably be exhausted but I’ll have a great time” – Matthew McConaughey, 2016
The Australian Women’s Sevens team know all about that.
The Aussies pipped New Zealand 24-17 to claim gold while the Canadians finished with bronze.
The Sevens world champions went 24-5 of the Kiwis but were forced to weather a ferocious comeback. Stout defence and counter-attacking bursts wound down the clock and there was Aussie elation at the final whistle.
OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS! https://t.co/MrwdmlukYN pic.twitter.com/0eQ7UhO7Iv
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) August 8, 2016
This is the first time since 1924 since Olympic medals were handed out for rugby. Back then, the 15s game was king but fans in Brazil have truly embraced the Sevens.
One high-profile fan that was present for a lot of the action was actor Matthew McConaughey. The American is married to Brazilian Camila Alves and joined his wife in her homeland to watch the games. There was no divided loyalty from McConaughey, though, as he cheered on the Team USA women that eventually finished fifth.
This is the actor’s first games but he is in Rio for a week so keep an eye out for him and his ‘Alright’ Dazed and Confused cap during the games.
“I’m just gonna keep livin’ man. L.I.V.I.N.”
There was a lovely moment after the medal ceremony, too, as Brazilian player Isadora Cerull proposed to Marjorie Enya, her partner, who was working at the venue as a Rio 2016 volunteer.
Superb.
