Rugby Sevens - Team New Zealand

Nickname
All Blacks Sevens

General
New Zealand are the most successful nation at world level in sevens competition, but they were unable to translate that success into a medal at the 2016 Games in Rio, finishing fifth in the inaugural Olympic sevens tournament. The New Zealand team placed third in Pool C with a record of one win and two defeats to advance to the knockout rounds, where they were ultimately defeated 12-7 by Fiji in the last eight. They went on to secure fifth place with victories over France and Argentina in the ranking play-off matches.

The New Zealand team ensured they would get another shot at the Olympic podium via the 2018/19 World Series, qualifying for Tokyo as one of the top four nations. With 13 overall titles, New Zealand have nine more World Series crowns than their closest challengers, Fiji. However, in the five editions following their 12th title in 2013/14, they did not finish higher than third. Crowned winners of the curtailed 2019/20 World Series after tournament victories in Cape Town, Hamilton and Vancouver, the Kiwis will be hoping their resurgence continues in Tokyo.

At the 2018 World Cup in San Francisco, New Zealand defended their title from 2013, overcoming the Russian Federation, France and Fiji to set up a final against England. They overcame the English team 33-12 to secure their third World Cup title, the most of any nation. Similar to the World Series, Fiji are New Zealand's closest challengers, with two World Cup titles to their name.