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The Men’s Eagles followed the lead of their Women’s counterparts in reaching the Semi Finals of the Cape Town Sevens. It guarantees a jump into the coveted top-four on the overall standings that will determine automatic Olympic Qualification at season’s end.
Three tries from Lucas Lacamp led the Eagles to a one-sided win over Uganda to start their tournament. Perry Baker and Marcus Tupuola then scored doubles in a similar result over Great Britain. A 19-all draw against Australia secured the USA’s spot at the top of Pool D.
Fiji were up next in the Cup Quarter Final and a questionable forward pass call from the officials led to an early score for Manueli Maisamoa, which held to halftime. The USA increased the pressure and were rewarded with second-half tries from Joe Schroeder, David Still, and Malacchi Esdale.
Uruguay also enjoyed success and are now set to record their best-ever result in a World Series event. They toppled Dubai finalists Ireland in their second match of the day, squeezing into the Quarter Finals for the first time ahead of the Irish on points differential. New Zealand were too strong but the worst-possible finish for Los Teros is now a tie for 7th.
The All Blacks were making up for an earlier shock defeat to Spain in the second match of the tournament. It followed Argentina’s win over Kenya, with Los Pumas then shutting out Spain in their second match. New Zealand outscored the South Americans 3 tries to 2, securing top spot in Pool C. Los Pumas would then fall to Samoa in the Quarter Finals.
Canada finished at the bottom of Pool A with three defeats, but showed improvement from last week’s effort in Dubai. South Africa had to scrap for their 17-7 victory, and France needed a last-gasp try to steal a 19-12 win. Fiji were trailing 12-10 at halftime against the Maple Leafs but ultimately pulled away in the second half.
The USA will take on New Zealand in the Cup Semi Final on Day Three. Uruguay are up against Fiji in the first 5th Place Semi Final, with Argentina facing Great Britain in the second. Canada’s next match is opposite Australia in the 9th Place Quarter Final.
A full fixture list for Day Three can be seen here.
POOL STAGE RESULTS
POOL A
France 0 – 33 Fiji
South Africa 17 – 7 Canada
France 19 – 12 Canada
South Africa 17 – 7 Fiji
Fiji 36 – 17 Canada
South Africa 26 – 7 France
POOL B
Samoa 21 – 10 Uruguay
Ireland 19 – 5 Japan
Samoa 45 – 0 Japan
Ireland 19 – 22 Uruguay
Uruguay 33 – 5 Japan
Ireland 21 – 14 Samoa
POOL C
Argentina 19 – 5 Kenya
New Zealand 10 – 14 Spain
Argentina 26 – 0 Spain
New Zealand 31 – 5 Kenya
Kenya 5 – 5 Spain
New Zealand 21 – 15 Argentina
POOL D
Australia 19 – 21 Great Britain
USA 38 – 5 Uganda
Australia 31 – 0 Uganda
USA 36 – 5 Great Britain
Great Britain 38 – 5 Uganda
USA 19 – 19 Australia
KNOCKOUT RESULTS
CUP QUARTER FINALS
New Zealand 50 – Uruguay
Samoa 22 – 10 Argentina
USA 17 – 7 Fiji
South Africa 21 – 14 Great Britain
DAY THREE FIXTURES
9th PLACE QUARTER FINALS
Spain vs Japan
Ireland vs Kenya
Australia vs Canada
France vs Uganda
5th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Uruguay vs Fiji
Argentina vs Great Britain
CUP SEMI FINALS
New Zealand vs USA
Samoa vs South Africa
