Rio 2016: Rugby 7s captain Tom Mitchell - '˜This has been a very special opportunity for us'

Great Britain Rugby 7s team captain Tom Mitchell has said the Rio Olympics has been a '˜very special opportunity' for his team.
England Rugby 7s skipper Tom Mitchell SUS-160324-100831001England Rugby 7s skipper Tom Mitchell SUS-160324-100831001
England Rugby 7s skipper Tom Mitchell SUS-160324-100831001

Mitchell, who comes from Cuckfield and went to Worth School, has captained his side to two wins out of two in the group section of the tournament.

They beat Kenya 31-17 before overcoming Japan, who had earlier shocked New Zealand, 21-19 in a thriller which saw their opponents miss a conversion in the last minute.

They face New Zealand in their final group game today.

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Mitchell said: “We like to keep it interesting for the fans. Sevens is one of the games where a lot can happen in 14 minutes and the reason it is in the Olympics is because it is so exciting.

“There were a few things we didn’t get right in that one and they are very good side.

“They had a lot of confidence after their victory earlier in the day (against New Zealand) so we had to play well.

“I’m really pleased with the way the boys stuck at it, came together, didn’t panic and got the score we needed with Marcus Watson off the bench.

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“That bench is so important as it was always going to be a 12 man effort in these sorts of games.

“It is always tight at this level and if you are not on your metal you we come out on the wrong side of the result.

“That wasn’t really the performance we would have liked but a few things went our way and we have two wins from two.

“The rugby is the same as a normal tournament but the buzz around the place is like never before. It is an amazing opportunity for us to represent Team GB at the Olympic Games so this has been a very special opportunity for us.”

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