Eagles leading the way in Cape Town

The USA Men’s Eagles are off to an ideal start in Cape Town after finishing the pool stage with a perfect three wins from three. They are the only Americas team to qualify for the Cup Quarter Finals with both Canada and Argentina slipping into the Trophy draw.

It couldn’t have gone much better for Mike Friday’s side on Saturday. They blew through Japan by 54-0. A rocky opening half against Spain was erased in convincing fashion with the same fate befalling Argentina.

A late try from Max McFarland lifted Scotland over Canada by 21-14 in the tournament opener. Australia raced out to an insurmountable 24-0 halftime lead but Canada found some form against Wales. Two tries from Justin Douglas saw them take the victory and some confidence into the consolation Trophy draw.

Argentina had a forgettable opening match against Spain, sliding to an embarrassing 35-12 defeat. They breezed past Japan but had nothing left in a disappointing second half against the Eagles and can now finish no higher than 9th.

New Zealand topped the highly competitive Pool A with a one-score win over South Africa. Fiji edged England 21-19 to escape Pool C unharmed and Australia proved the class of Pool D.

Up next for the Eagles is England in the last of the four Cup Quarter Finals. Canada will play Zimbabwe in their Trophy Quarter Final with Argentina squaring off against Kenya.

DAY ONE RESULTS

POOL A
South Africa 22-12 Samoa
New Zealand 35-0 Zimbabwe
South Africa 43-0 Zimbabwe
New Zealand 17-21 Samoa
Samoa 33-12 Zimbabwe
New Zealand 26-21 South Africa

POOL B
Argentina 12-35 Spain
USA 54-0 Japan
Argentina 35-7 Japan
USA 38-17 Spain
Spain 52-0 Japan
USA 31-14 Argentina

POOL C
Fiji 50-0 France
England 29-12 Kenya
Fiji 38-7 Kenya
England 26-12 France
France 19-12 Kenya
England 19-21 Fiji

POOL D
Scotland 21-14 Canada
Australia 21-14 Wales
Scotland 28-7 Wales
Australia 29-15 Canada
Canada 28-7 Wales
Australia 26-14 Scotland

DAY TWO FIXTURES

Sun, Dec 9 – 10:36 local / 03:36 ET / 00:36 PT – TROPHY QF – Samoa vs Wales
Sun, Dec 9 – 10:58 local / 03:58 ET / 00:58 PT – TROPHY QF – France vs Japan
Sun, Dec 9 – 11:20 local / 04:20 ET / 01:20 PT – TROPHY QF – Canada vs Zimbabwe
Sun, Dec 9 – 11:42 local / 04:42 ET / 01:42 PT – TROPHY QF – Argentina vs Kenya

Sun, Dec 9 – 12:04 local / 05:04 ET / 02:04 PT – CUP QF – South Africa vs Scotland
Sun, Dec 9 – 12:26 local / 05:26 ET / 02:26 PT – CUP QF – Fiji vs Spain
Sun, Dec 9 – 12:48 local / 05:48 ET / 02:48 PT – CUP QF – Australia vs New Zealand
Sun, Dec 9 – 13:10 local / 06:10 ET / 03:10 PT – CUP QF – USA vs England