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The second day of the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco proved more fruitful than the first for the Americas teams knocked out of Championship contention. Canada, Chile, and Uruguay each earned victories while Jamaica put in a creditable performance in defeat to Hong Kong.
Chile opened the day with a strong win over Tonga in the first Bowl Quarter Final. Two tries from Francisco Urroz and four conversions via Marcelo Torrealba gave the side a 28-12 lead but the Tongans came roaring back with two scores of their own. Torrealba wrapped up the result with a try of his own before a late score made the final 33-29.
In the second match Uruguay squared off against Papua New Guinea with the two teams trading scores throughout. It was Eugenio Plottier’s try with only seconds remaining that drew the scores level. Plottier ran around the corner just far enough to give Guillermo Lijtenstein a better angle on the conversion, and it paid off with the halfback’s left-footed strike bisecting the uprights to give the Teros the win.
Jamaica scored first against Hong Kong with Oshane Edie showing his quick feet with a highlight-reel dive to reach the corner. Hong Kong would take control with four unanswered tries before a consolation effort to Mikel Facey rounded out the match.
It was Canada who won the hearts of the American fans with an inspired first half performance against Japan. Not 24 hours removed from their disappointing 28-0 loss to Argentina, Canada were up by the same score at the break and took a 35-0 lead just a minute into the second half. Matt Mullins and Justin Douglas grabbed two tries each while Nathan Hirayama contributed 15 points. Japan would restore some pride with three late tries but the job was done for the men in red.
First up on Day Three will be Jamaica against Papua New Guinea in a 21st Place Semi. It could be an all-South American Bowl Final if Chile and Uruguay can get past Uganda and Hong Kong respectively. Canada will face a big challenge in Australia to before the big guns take the field.
DAY TWO RESULTS
BOWL QUARTER FINALS
Tonga 29 – 33 Chile
Papua New Guinea 19 – 21 Uruguay
Jamaica 10 – 24 Hong Kong
Zimbabwe 10 – 24 Uganda
CHALLENGE QUARTER FINALS
Kenya 14 – 24 Ireland
Canada 35 – 17 Japan
Australia 41 – 0 Russia
Wales 24 – 19 SAMOA
DAY THREE FIXTURES
July 22 – 09:00 PT, 12:00 ET – 21st PLACE SEMI – Tonga vs Zimbabwe
July 22 – 09:22 PT, 12:22 ET – 21st PLACE SEMI – Papua New Guinea vs Jamaica
July 22 – 09:44 PT, 12:44 ET – BOWL SEMI FINAL – Chile vs Uganda
July 22 – 10:06 PT, 13:06 ET – BOWL SEMI FINAL – Uruguay vs Hong Kong
July 22 – 10:28 PT, 13:28 ET – 13th PLACE SEMI – Kenya vs Samoa
July 22 – 10:50 PT, 13:50 ET – 13th PLACE SEMI – Japan vs Russia
July 22 – 11:12 PT, 14:12 ET – CHALLENGE SEMI FINAL – Canada vs Australia
July 22 – 11:34 PT, 15:34 ET – CHALLENGE SEMI FINAL – Ireland vs Wales
