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Both North American sides on the HSBC Men’s Sevens Series have qualified for the Cup Quarter Finals of the Hamilton Sevens. The USA topped Pool B with a perfect three wins from three to earn favorite status heading into the knockout rounds, while Canada reached their first Cup draw of the season ahead of Spain by virtue of points differential.
Canada had drawn with Spain in their opening match of the day, and after being routed by New Zealand their fate depended on a big win over Japan and similar result in Spain final pool match. They got both as Justin Douglas touched down twice in a 26-0 shutout of Japan while Spain lost by a nearly identical 24-0 score to New Zealand.
The USA suffered an horrendous blow in their opening match of the tournament as star player Perry Baker suffered a broken jaw that earned him an early ticket back home. It would not knock the team out of stride, however, as they cruised to dominant wins over Tonga, Samoa, and England in succession.
Argentina’s hopes for a Quarter Final spot were dashed in their opener as they fell to Australia 17-12. Fiji proved a step above and though they redeemed themselves somewhat with a one-sided smashing of Wales, it was too little too late with their spot in the Challenge Trophy draw already assured.
Fiji join the USA, South Africa, and New Zealand as front runners after the four sides all got off to perfect starts. Canada will face the Fijians in the first Quarter Final, with the USA opposite Scotland in the last Quarter Final. South Africa will take on Samoa with New Zealand meeting trans-Tasman rivals Australia.
All matches will be streamed live on the CBC Sports Website for Canadians viewers, on ESPN+ for those in the USA, ESPN in South America, and on the World Rugby site for those based elsewhere.
DAY ONE RESULTS
POOL A
Australia 17-12 Argentina
Fiji 54-7 Wales
Australia 26-5 Wales
Fiji 33-24 Argentina
Argentina 36-7 Wales
Fiji 26-19 Australia
POOL B
England 10-12 Samoa
USA 29-7 Tonga
England 36-7 Tonga
USA 34-14 Samoa
Samoa 28-12 Tonga
USA 19-7 England
POOL C
Scotland 26-21 France
South Africa 29-10 Kenya
Scotland 19-10 Kenya
South Africa 17-5 France
France 15-19 Kenya
South Africa 26-7 Scotland
POOL D
Spain 12-12 Canada
New Zealand 52-0 Japan
Spain 22-19 Japan
New Zealand 49-10 Canada
Canada 26-0 Japan
New Zealand 24-0 Spain
DAY TWO FIXTURES
Sat, Jan 26 – 13:00 PT, 16:00 ET – TROPHY QF – Argentina vs Japan
Sat, Jan 26 – 13:22 PT, 16:22 ET – TROPHY QF – Kenya vs Tonga
Sat, Jan 26 – 13:44 PT, 16:44 ET – TROPHY QF – Spain vs Wales
Sat, Jan 26 – 14:06 PT, 17:06 ET – TROPHY QF – England vs France
Sat, Jan 26 – 14:36 PT, 17:36 ET – CUP QF – Fiji vs Canada
Sat, Jan 26 – 14:58 PT, 17:58 ET – CUP QF – South Africa vs Samoa
Sat, Jan 26 – 15:20 PT, 18:20 ET – CUP QF – New Zealand vs Australia
Sat, Jan 26 – 15:42 PT, 18:42 ET – CUP QF – USA vs Scotland
