Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Canada survived a nail-biting match against Papua New Guinea to advance to the men’s Round of 16 at the Rugby World Cup Sevens. After leading 24-7 thanks to a pair of tries from Justin Douglas Canada conceded two tries and needed a last minute score by Connor Braid to secure the nervous 29-21 victory.
In a thrilling match to close the opening round Chile were beaten at the death by Ireland with a try to Jimmy O’Brien breaking a 12-all deadlock. Los Cóndores came painfully close to victory when Martín Verschae broke free down the right side but a desperate tackle was just enough to knock his foot into touch. Instead they will now compete in the consolation bracket.
The other two Americas teams – Jamaica and Uruguay – had little to show for their opening matches. France were in cruise control, shutting out the Jamaicans completely. Meanwhile Japan turned heads as they blasted through the smaller Uruguayans en route to a dominant win.
No upsets would be recorded in the opening round, though Zimbabwe had Wales down 12-nil before conceding 33 points to fall well short. The next round takes a dramatic step up in difficulty as the top eight seeds join the competition. Canada will look to ruin Argentina’s tournament at first opportunity while hosts USA wait until the last match of the day to face off against Wales.
The consolation Bowl Quarter Finals will take place on Saturday afternoon with Chile drawing Tonga, Uruguay to play Papua New Guinea, and Jamaica lined up against Hong Kong. Zimbabwe will play Uganda in an all-African affair in the fourth Bowl Quarter Final.
ROUND ONE RESULTS
Kenya 19 – 7 Tonga
Canada 29 – 21 Papua New Guinea
France 50 – 0 Jamaica
Wales 33 – 12 Zimbabwe
Samoa 45 – 7 Uganda
Russia 21 – 7 Hong Kong
Japan 33 – 7 Uruguay
Ireland 17 – 12 Chile
ROUND TWO FIXTURES
Fri Jul 20 – 19:03 PT, 22:03 ET – Scotland vs Kenya
Fri Jul 20 – 19:25 PT, 22:25 ET – Argentina vs Canada
Fri Jul 20 – 19:47 PT, 22:47 ET – Australia vs France
Fri Jul 20 – 20:09 PT, 23:09 ET – England vs Samoa
Fri Jul 20 – 20:31 PT, 23:31 ET – New Zealand vs Russia
Fri Jul 20 – 20:53 PT, 23:53 ET – Fiji vs Japan
Fri Jul 20 – 21:15 PT, 00:15 ET – South Africa vs Ireland
Fri Jul 20 – 21:37 PT, 00:37 ET – USA vs Wales
