USA, Canada into Cup Quarters at BC Place

Two Americas teams have qualified for the Cup Quarter Finals of the HSBC Sevens Series event at BC Place in Vancouver. Hosts Canada and the USA won each of their first two pool matches to qualify, and they could be joined by a third team though Argentina will need to upset Fiji or hope that Samoa thrashes Wales to sneak in.

The USA booked their place with an overwhelming 52-0 win over Japan that saw Perry Baker notch a hat trick with doubles for Ben Pinkelman and Stephen Tomasin. France was second to fall by a 31-19 score with Martin Iosefo this time grabbing two tries. The Eagles finish their day against a youthful Australia side to decide top spot in Pool C.

Home favorites Canada gave their fans plenty to cheer about in their opening two fixtures. They swept aside Scotland 28-15 with surprising comfort before an Adam Zaruba hat-trick led the way to a 26-5 win over Russia. Their last match of the day will be against New Zealand for top bragging rights in Pool D.

It was a positive start to the day for Argentina, who got past a difficult Samoan team by 24-19 thanks in large part to three tries from Matías Osadczuk. Their second match was not so rosy. Tries from Osadczuk and Bautista Delguy put the Pumas ahead 14-0 at the break but a second half collapse watched their lead eclipsed by Wales with the final score 21-14.

Chile had the toughest draw of the four Americas sides and were ultimately outclassed by top seeds South Africa and England, though they did show improvement. Determined defense with Julio Blanc a standout saw them hold the Blitzbokke to only two tries in the first half while England could manage only one in the opening seven minutes. Chile will end their opening day against Kenya to decide seeding heading into the Trophy draw on Day Two.

All matches are streamed live on the World Rugby site.

POOL A
England 28 – 14 Kenya
South Africa 33 – 0 Chile
England 26 – 0 Chile
South Africa 15 – 5 Kenya

POOL B
Argentina 24 – 19 Samoa
Fiji 34 – 19 Wales
Argentina 14 – 21 Wales
Fiji 19 – 12 Samoa

POOL C
Australia 12 – 7 France
USA 52 – 0 Japan
Australia 36 – 7 Japan
USA 31 – 19 France

POOL D
Canada 28 – 15 Scotland
New Zealand 40 – 0 Russia
Canada 26 – 5 Russia
New Zealand 33 – 12 Scotland