Eagles into Paris Quarters but lose Niua

The USA are on track in Paris after a perfect run of results on opening day that sees them ease into the Cup Quarter Finals. It wasn’t all good news, however, as the team lost talisman Folau Niua to a broken leg a minute into their second match against Samoa. The gruesome injury saw play halted for several minutes and is certain to keep the 34-year-old out of the side for several months.

Two tries from Carlin Isles led the Eagles to a dominant win over Spain in their opening match. When play continued against Samoa it was equally convincing in favor of the USA. Kevon Williams grabbed a pair of tries against Canada to complete the Pool C sweep.

The Canadians were at the opposite end of the standings. Tomasi Alosio’s conversion of a late La’aloi Leilua try gave Samoa the 21-19 result in their first match, despite a two-try effort from Andrew Coe. The second was a disappointing loss to Spain that saw Pablo Fontes notch a hat-trick for the Leones.

Argentina will join the USA in the Cup draw after winning two of three in Pool A. Luciano González Rizzoni scored three tries in their opening win over Ireland. A Franco Sábato double wasn’t enough to get past Fiji in the second, but the Pumas rebounded to beat England with González Rizzoni picking up two more tries and Renzo Barbier also scoring twice.

Fiji continue to look the class of the field and are closing in on the overall series title though the Eagles are in hot pursuit. South Africa topped Pool B with three wins from three, with New Zealand doing the same in Pool D though only narrowly getting past Scotland.

The USA have drawn Kenya in the second Cup Quarter Final on Day Two. Argentina will play the following match against New Zealand. Canada has dropped into the Challenge Trophy draw and will play Wales.

 

DAY ONE RESULTS

POOL A
Ireland 7 – 22 Argentina
Fiji 52 – 14 England
Ireland 27 – 14 England
Fiji 40 – 26 Argentina
Argentina 31 – 19 England
Fiji 40 – 5 Ireland

POOL B
South Africa 22 – 7 Wales
Australia 19 – 19 Kenya
South Africa 29 – 12 Kenya
Australia 7 – 24 Wales
Wales 21 – 26 Kenya
Australia 17 – 19 South Africa

POOL C
Canada 19 – 21 Samoa
USA 31 – 7 Spain
Canada 19 – 24 Spain
USA 33 – 14 Samoa
Samoa 31 – 12 Spain
USA 26 – 12 Canada

POOL D
New Zealand 14 – 12 Scotland
France 14 – 17
New Zealand 31 – 14 Japan
France 28 – 12 Scotland
Scotland 22 – 21 Japan
France 10 – 17 New Zealand

 

DAY TWO FIXTURES

Sun, Jun 2 – 10:00 local / 04:00 ET – TROPHY QF – Ireland vs Scotland
Sun, Jun 2 – 10:22 local / 04:22 ET – TROPHY QF – Spain vs Australia
Sun, Jun 2 – 10:44 local / 04:44 ET – TROPHY QF – Japan vs England
Sun, Jun 2 – 11:06 local / 05:06 ET – TROPHY QF – Wales vs Canada

Sun, Jun 2 – 11:28 local / 05:28 ET – CUP QF – Fiji vs France
Sun, Jun 2 – 11:50 local / 05:50 ET – CUP QF – USA vs Kenya
Sun, Jun 2 – 12:12 local / 06:12 ET – CUP QF – New Zealand vs Argentina
Sun, Jun 2 – 12:34 local / 06:34 ET – CUP QF – South Africa vs Samoa