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A last-gasp win over Canada was just enough to see the USA through to the Cup Quarter Finals at the HSBC Sevens Series event in Vancouver on Saturday. John Moonlight tied the game after two Perry Baker scores had put the Eagles in front. With time up the Eagles won a turnover and Kevon Williams raced clear for a stunning length-of-the-field try to the horror of the home crowd.
Earlier in the day the USA had no trouble with Uruguay but in their final match they hit a wall against Australia. Baker grabbed another double but a hat-trick for John Porch did the damage and gave Australia bragging rights in the pool. The Eagles will now face New Zealand in the Cup Quarter Finals.
The day started with a bang for Argentina, who were too polished for both Samoa and Wales. They met their match against England with the 21-7 loss costing them top spot in the pool. The Pumas have drawn Fiji for their Quarter Final match-up.
Canada’s day got off to a reasonable start with a 19-all draw against Australia. The loss to the USA put them on the ropes and despite an overwhelming victory over Uruguay it wasn’t enough to get them into the Cup draw. They will instead face Scotland in Trophy Quarter Finals.
Of note was a 32-point haul for Nathan Hirayama that not only maintains his spot as top overall scorer on the 2017-18 circuit but also pushes him past legendary duo Uale Mai and Waisale Serevi into 6th on the all-time HSBC Sevens Series scoring list. He now sits just 17 short of former Scotland captain Colin Gregor for 5th spot.
Los Teros could not compete with the USA and conceded eight tries to Australia – including four to captain Lewis Holland – but did manage to score three of their own. Diego Ardao, Francisco Berchesi, and Joaquín Alonso each touched down while Manuel Ardao had the lone score against Canada. Next up will be Russia in the Trophy Quarter Finals.
Only two teams emerged from Day One with a perfect record. Fiji got off to a rocket start with blowout wins over Spain and France but were then given a scare by Kenya, winning by only three points to end the day. New Zealand’s fortunes were the same but it was their opening match against Scotland that proved tricky before outclassing Russia and ending the day with a stunning five-try performance over the Series leaders South Africa.
Day Two begins at 9:30am local time, 12:30pm Eastern. Canadian fans can watch live on the CBC Sports website. NBC Sports will broadcast in the USA, and ESPN in South America. World Rugby will provide a live stream for those based outside the Americas.
DAY ONE RESULTS
POOL A
Australia 19 – 19 Canada
USA 45 – 0 Uruguay
Australia 50 – 17 Uruguay
USA 28 – 21 Canada
Canada 47 – 5 Uruguay
USA 21 – 31 Australia
POOL B
England 36 – 5 Wales
Argentina 22 – 7 Samoa
England 5 – 21 Samoa
Argentina 35 – 12 Wales
Wales 10 – 28 Samoa
Argentina 7 – 21 England
POOL C
Kenya 14 – 7 France
Fiji 45 – 5 Spain
Kenya 43 – 0 Spain
Fiji 38 – 7 France
France 12 – 12 Spain
Fiji 24 – 21 Kenya
POOL D
New Zealand 31 – 26 Scotland
South Africa 38 – 7 Russia
New Zealand 31 – 5 Russia
South Africa 21 – 0 Scotland
Scotland 24 – 26 Russia
South Africa 14 – 33 New Zealand
DAY TWO FIXTURES
Sun, Mar 11 – 09:30 PT, 12:30 ET – TROPHY QF – Canada vs Scotland
Sun, Mar 11 – 09:52 PT, 12:52 ET – TROPHY QF – France vs Wales
Sun, Mar 11 – 10:14 PT, 13:14 ET – TROPHY QF – Russia vs Uruguay
Sun, Mar 11 – 10:36 PT, 13:36 ET – TROPHY QF – Samoa vs Spain
Sun, Mar 11 – 11:08 PT, 14:08 ET – CUP QF – Australia vs South Africa
Sun, Mar 11 – 11:30 PT, 14:30 ET – CUP QF – Fiji vs Argentina
Sun, Mar 11 – 11:52 PT, 14:52 ET – CUP QF – New Zealand vs USA
Sun, Mar 11 – 12:14 PT, 15:14 ET – CUP QF – England vs Kenya
