Men’s Eagles take Bronze in Cape Town to push into Top 4

It was a good day for USA Rugby in Cape Town as the Men’s Eagles followed the Women’s lead in winning the Bronze Final. The result moves them into a tie with New Zealand on 44 competition points, while Samoa’s Cup Final win over South Africa sees those two sides level at the top of the table on 47 points.

Samoa’s tournament win was their first since Paris in 2016. They would secure a dramatic 10-7 win over South Africa in the Semi Final, thanks to a last-second penalty drop goal from Fa’afoi Falaniko. Va’a Apelu Maliko’s try late in the game against New Zealand secured a famous result, with Falaniko adding a try and one conversion.

New Zealand were the USA’s first opponent of the day in the Cup Semi Final, and the men in black proved too much with a 5-try-to-3 performance. Kevon Williams had two tries in defeat. Down to nine fit bodies in the Bronze Final, the Eagles left the home crowd disappointed as they beat the Blitzboks convincingly with four different players touching down.

Argentina had mixed results on Day Three. A strong victory over Great Britain put them into the 5th Place Final opposite Fiji. The South Americans were overwhelmed by the pace and power of their opponents and only a late try from Simón Benítez Cruz saving them from being shut out entirely.

Uruguay would play just one match after their historic Cup draw qualification. Fiji were a class apart with six tries scored and none against. For Los Teros it remains a best-ever finish, and the first time they have reached the Top 8 since the series adopted the ‘core team’ format in 2004.

Canada had three matches to play, the first a one-sided loss to Australia in the 9th Place Quarter Final. Two second-half tries from Josiah Morra propelled them to victory over Japan to move into the 13th Place Final. Brock Webster’s try made more a grandstand finish against Kenya but Johnstone Olindi’s try on full-time gave the Simbas the spoils.

The Series resumes on January 21 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

 

DAY THREE RESULTS

9th PLACE QUARTER FINALS
Spain 40 – 5 Japan
Ireland 19 – 14 Kenya
Australia 33 – 7 Canada
France 24 – 7 Uganda

13th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Japan 14 – 31 Canada
Kenya 19 – 5 Uganda

9th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Spain 0 – 26 Australia
Ireland 12 – 9 France

5th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Uruguay 0 – 38 Fiji
Argentina 26 – 14 Great Britain

CUP SEMI FINALS
New Zealand 33 – 17 USA
Samoa 10 – 7 South Africa

13th PLACE FINAL
Canada 10 – 21 Kenya

9th PLACE FINAL
Australia 12 – 24 France

5th PLACE FINAL
Fiji 29 – 5 Argentina

BRONZE FINAL
USA 22 – 14 South Africa

CUP FINAL
New Zealand 7 – 12 Samoa