Dubai 7s: Day 1 Recap

Day 1 of play for the Men’s Division of the Dubai 7s has completed and the quarterfinals are set. The kickoff of the 2015/2016 HSBC World Series provided a fair share of drama as teams embark on the final season before the Olympics. Aside from a couple of teams that took lumps, the majority of the matches in pool play were tightly contested. The increase in parity around the World Series is one of the best byproducts of the Olympic inclusion.

Here’s a look at each of the pools, how the teams fared, and how things are shaping up for the knockout rounds tomorrow.

Pool A

Defending World Series Champions, Fiji, came out on fire and pounded Canada to open up Day 1 of the tournament. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Fiji as they needed an extra time try to defeat Japan 21-17. The Fijians rebounded in their final match to shutout Argentina. Their power, pace, and flair were on display for all to see as they finished pool play with a perfect 3-0 record and scored more points (112) than any other team on Day 1. Jerry Tuwai led the attack with four tries scored on the opening day of the competition.

Argentina finished 2nd in the Pool with victories over Japan and Canada. Japan was the surprise of the pool and looked to be a much improved side from last season. Japan had a lead over Fiji at full time only to be undone by an extra time try. They got a consolation 21-7 win over Canada to finish out pool play. The Maple Leafs struggled throughout Day 1, being outscored by their opponents 35-103, but still managed to nearly sneak a victory from Argentina, showing the parity in the pool.

Pool B

South Africa easily topped Pool B with the most dominating display of any team on Day 1. South Africa outscored their opponents 104-19 en route to a perfect 3-0 record. However, it was the South African defense that deserves applause as they produced a stifling effort. Seabelo Senatla topped all scorers with six tries on Day 1 in Dubai.

The rest of the pool was a tight battle with all three remaining sides showing mettle. Samoa took the second slot in the pool, but had their work cut out for them. After falling to South Africa in their first match, they held on to beat Scotland (17-12) and snuck past Russia (19-10). Scotland finished third in the pool, but it took an extra time try from Hugh Blake to see them past a feisty Russian side.

Pool C

New Zealand and the USA came into the pool as the favorites, but matters became interesting very early as France showed up with a massively improved team from last season. All three sides finished Day 1 of the tournament with 2-1 records, but New Zealand (+48) and the USA (+28) moved on to the Cup round by way of points difference. The USA used their first-ever victory over New Zealand to vault themselves ahead of France and into the Cup. A Madison Hughes conversion from the sidelines not only won the match for the USA, but also gave them a two-point edge in points difference over France.

Sam Dickson (NZ) and Perry Baker (USA) each finished pool play with four tries scored apiece placing them in a tie for 2nd place on the leader board.

France were the hard-done team of the day. After nearly pipping New Zealand in their first match, France upset the USA with a hard won 26-21 victory. They then easily dispatched Portugal and prepared for a trip to the Cup, only to be undone by a historic effort from the USA. Portugal, on the other hand, were easily the most over matched team in the tournament. They were outscored by their opponents 127-26 in pool play suggesting this could be a very long season for the team.

Pool D

Truly the Pool of Death in Dubai, only 33 points separated the top team in the pool and the last place team. England posted a clinical Day 1, going 3-0 and only giving up 22 points with a stingy defense. They were followed in Pool D by Australia whom had an up and down day. They opened with a narrow victory over Kenya, followed by blowing Wales out of the water and finished with a deflating loss to England.

Wales snuck into 3rd place in the pool with a 12-10 win over Kenya, but were outmatched by both England and Australia. Kenya was another tough-luck team in Dubai on Day 1. The Kenyans were winless in pool play, but only outscored by 11 points in their three matches. They were defeated on a last minute try by Australia, nearly came from behind to sneak England, and were a missed conversion away from deadlocking with Wales.

With pool play finished, the quarterfinals are set for Day 2 of the Dubai 7s. Once the tournament moves onto the knockout round, it is anyone’s tournament to win. Recent years have proved that even the powers of the 7s world have to work to win each tournament.

Cup Quarterfinals

Fiji vs Australia

South Africa vs USA

New Zealand vs Samoa

England vs Argentina

Bowl Quarterfinals

Japan vs Kenya

France vs Russia

Wales vs Canada

Scotland vs Portugal