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It was a decent return for the Americas on Day One of the Dubai Sevens. Both the Pumas and Men’s Eagles finished with two wins from three, in doing so qualifying for the Cup Quarter Finals. Canada managed one win and will now move into the Challenge Trophy bracket.
After trailing 21-0 at the half to Samoa, Argentina would score 19 points in the second half only to fall short by a conversion. Their second match saw them narrowly push past Zimbabwe with Marcos Moroni and Conrado Roura scoring two tries apiece. Their third match was easily their best. Franco Sabato’s second try came late in the game to seal the upset win over defending Series champions South Africa.
The Eagles got off to a flying start as they put five tries on Spain, two from World Rugby Player of the Year Perry Baker. It was Folau Niua’s turn to pick up a double in the convincing win over Wales, but success would prove hard to come by against New Zealand with only a single try to Carlin Isles leaving the USA feeling decidedly second best.
Canada were competitive in their opening matches though ultimately both were losing efforts. England looked a step ahead at all times and Maurice Longbottom inspired Australia with two tries and plenty of frustration for the Canadian defense. A strong second half lifted the team over Japan to end the day on a relatively high note.
Fiji were in vintage form against France but nearly slipped up against Scotland. Jamie Farndale made a howling error by being pushed out the back of the in-goal area without touching the ball down for the winning score. The Fijians recovered against Kenya and push through as the top seeds in Pool B. They will face the USA in the Cup Quarter Finals.
All matches will be streamed live on the CBC Sports website for Canadian viewers. Those in the USA can watch on ESPN. All others can watch on World Rugby social media channels.
DAY ONE RESULTS
POOL A
Argentina 19-21 Samoa
South Africa 31-0 Zimbabwe
Argentina 22-19 Zimbabwe
South Africa 19-12 Samoa
Samoa 17-15 Zimbabwe
South Africa 12-17 Argentina
POOL B
Kenya 14-35 Scotland
Fiji 41-0 France
Kenya 17-21 France
Fiji 21-17 Scotland
Scotland 14-14 France
Fiji 43-12 Kenya
POOL C
USA 29-0 Spain
New Zealand 28-7 Wales
USA 33-12 Wales
New Zealand 28-17 Spain
Spain 35-7 Wales
New Zealand 24-7 USA
POOL D
England 26-12 Canada
Australia 43-0 Japan
England 31-7 Japan
Australia 31-19 Canada
Canada 27-7 Japan
Australia 22-19
DAY TWO FIXTURES
Dec 1 – 09:30 local / 00:30 ET – TROPHY QF – Samoa vs Japan
Dec 1 – 09:52 local / 00:52 ET – TROPHY QF – Spain vs Kenya
Dec 1 – 10:14 local / 01:14 ET – TROPHY QF – Canada vs Zimbabwe
Dec 1 – 10:36 local / 01:36 ET – TROPHY QF – France vs Wales
Dec 1 – 11:00 local / 02:00 ET – CUP QF – South Africa vs England
Dec 1 – 11:22 local / 02:22 ET – CUP QF – New Zealand vs Scotland
Dec 1 – 11:44 local / 02:44 ET – CUP QF – Australia vs Argentina
Dec 1 – 12:06 local / 03:06 ET – CUP QF – Fiji vs USA
