WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The United States won Olympic gold the last time in rugby. Spearheaded by two stars who have crossed over from other sports, the Eagles will be considered a dark horse to medal again in August, when rugby returns after a 92-year absence from the Games.
The United States beat a heavily favored France team to win at the 1924 Games in Paris. Back then, the 15-a-side version of the sport was played. This year, Olympic teams will compete in sevens, the less complicated and more dynamic version of rugby union.
“We want a medal.