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Canada and the USA have qualified for the Cup Quarter Finals at the Singapore 7s. The two North American sides each advanced through the pool stages with two wins from three. Argentina, who entered the tournament in 7th spot on the HSBC Sevens Series standings, did not make the cut with their only win coming against Samoa.
Argentina faltered badly on Day One, opening the tournament with a poor effort against Kenya as they conceded 22 unanswered points before scoring a late consolation try. They regrouped somewhat against Samoa to come away winners by three tries to one, but then fell off in the second half against Australia to lose by the same margin and fall out of Cup contention.
It was a good start for Canada as they cruised past Russia by 28-15 and then blasted Hong Kong by 34-0 with six different players touching down. Fiji proved too much once again for the Canadians, with a 35-7 result including a hat-trick for Waisea Nacuqu showing that the Olympic champions are very much back in top form.
For the USA it will be a case of relief rather than joy that they reached the Quarter Finals after a sloppy opening day. Two tries from Perry Baker propelled them to a 35-5 lead over Wales before conceding two late scores to make the final 35-19. It was another double for Baker and Stephen Tomasin as well against Scotland though the the Scots were very much in the game with the scores drawn at half and only seven points adrift at the final whistle.
The final match of the day saw the USA up against New Zealand and it did not go well for Mike Friday’s men. Baker was forced off early with an eye injury that will be a major concern for the side ahead of Day Two. The Eagles never really got into the much, making numerous handling errors and watching Sam Dickson make a mockery of the USA lineout.
In other action Series leaders South Africa suffered a rare defeat to a short-handed England in their final pool match of the day, particularly surprising given England’s surprise loss to France in their opening match. Australia came through Pool C in good form, joining Fiji and New Zealand as the only unbeaten sides on Day One.
USA will have to get past Fiji in the Cup Quarter Finals to advance, while Canada will face a similarly daunting challenge in New Zealand. Argentina’s quest for a best-possible 9th place finish will begin with France in the Trophy Quarter Finals.
All matches are streamed live by World Rugby.
DAY ONE RESULTS
POOL A
Canada 28 – 15 Russia
Fiji 40 – 0 Hong Kong
Canada 34 – 0 Hong Kong
Fiji 38 – 7 Russia
Russia 19 – 26 Hong Kong
Fiji 35 – 7 Canada
POOL B
England 14 – 24 France
South Africa 52 – 0 Japan
England 40 – 10 Japan
South Africa 10 – 7 France
France 14 – 21 Japan
South Africa 12 – 17 England
POOL C
Argentina 7 – 22 Kenya
Australia 19 – 12 Samoa
Argentina 17 – 7 Samoa
Australia 29 – 7 Kenya
Kenya 17 – 7 Samoa
Australia 19 – 7 Argentina
POOL D
New Zealand 22 – 21 Scotland
USA 35 – 19 Wales
New Zealand 36 – 14 Wales
USA 33 – 26 Scotland
Scotland 19 – 21 Wales
USA 14 – 21 New Zealand
DAY TWO FIXTURES
Sat, Apr 15 – 23:00 ET – TROPHY QF – Hong Kong vs Scotland
Sat, Apr 15 – 23:22 ET – TROPHY QF – Argentina vs France
Sat, Apr 15 – 23:44 ET – TROPHY QF – Wales vs Russia
Sun, Apr 16 – 00:06 ET – TROPHY QF – Japan vs Samoa
Sun, Apr 16 – 00:30 ET – CUP QF – Fiji vs USA
Sun, Apr 16 – 00:52 ET – CUP QF – Australia vs South Africa
Sun, Apr 16 – 01:14 ET – CUP QF – New Zealand vs Canada
Sun, Apr 16 – 01:36 ET – CUP QF – England vs Kenya
