Americas flounder as England conquers Cape Town

Americas teams found more frustration in Cape Town with the USA tying for 7th spot, Argentina clocking out in 10th, and Canada again topping the bottom bracket in 13th. The glory went to England who upset home team South Africa to claim the title for their first tourney win of the 2016-17 HSBC Sevens Series. Justin Geduld couldn’t quite convert Werner Kok’s late try to leave England two points up and 19-17 winners in the Cup final.

The champions needed a bit of luck just to make it to the end. Dan Norton’s scintillating individual effort in extra time brought down the curtains in a thrilling quarter final contest with Fiji. Just one match earlier it was Scotland who ended the USA’s Cup dreams in similar when Scott Riddell powered over for the golden score after the two sides had been deadlocked at 19 on full-time.

As luck would have it Fiji would be the next obstacle for the Eagles and the Dubai champions were more than happy to put their quarter final loss behind them, ending the USA’s calendar year with a 28-12 victory. It leaves the Eagles in 8th place overall after two events with a couple weeks rest on the menu before returning with all guns blazing and some reinforcements in the New Year. Coach Mike Friday, captain Madison Hughes, and veterans Zack Test and Garrett Brewer are expected to return to the group ahead of the Wellington tournament that kicks off on January 28.

Argentina had no trouble with Japan in the consolation quarter finals and three conversions from captain Gastón Revol were enough to push them past Australia by 21-17. Their day would end with a 19-7 loss to France in the consolation final, with their end-of-year status set at 11th place in the standings. The dip in ranking is not unexpected with a number of young players added to the roster. There is no shortage of individual talent and with more experience this team should be expected to challenge for greater honours in the second half of the season.

For Canada the tales of woe continue. Day One left the team in tatters with three players ruled out of Day Two, leaving the side with only 10 available players to survive in the Cape Town heat. Nathan Hirayama’s head knock suffered against New Zealand ruled him out while potentially serious shoulder injuries to Liam Underwood and Phil Berna left the team shorthanded and forced to draft in 13th man Josiah Morra. The 18-year-old was handed an early Christmas present by John Moonlight just minutes after taking the field when the skipper handed Morra the ball under the uprights in the match against France.

While the moment was touching, the scoreline was not as the French ran up an embarrassing 42-0 score before allowing two late tries in the consolation quarter final. Canada looked en route to another sound beating against Samoa with a 24-7 count up within five minutes, but a Justin Douglas try just before the half gave them a glimmer of hope. A courageous effort in the second half saw first Adam Zaruba crossing and then Pat Kay converted his own try to seal a remarkable comeback win. A 19-10 victory over Uganda ended the year on a positive note though Canada remain in 13th spot and with a considerable amount of catching up to do before departing for New Zealand.

 

 

DAY TWO RESULTS

TROPHY QUARTER FINALS
Australia 42 – 12 Uganda
Argentina 33 – 12 Japan
Samoa 14 – 17 Russia
France 42 – 14 Canada

CUP QUARTER FINALS
South Africa 33 – 0 Wales
New Zealand 28 – 7 Kenya
Scotland 24 – 19 USA
Fiji 26 – 31 England

13th PLACE SEMI FINAL
Uganda 21 – 17 Japan
Samoa 24 – 26 Canada

TROPHY SEMI FINALS
Australia 17 – 21 Argentina
Russia 12 – 17 France

5th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Wales 14 – 19 Kenya
USA 12 – 28 Fiji

CUP SEMI FINALS
South Africa 14 – 7 New Zealand
Scotland 14 – 33 England

13th PLACE FINAL
Uganda 10 – 19 Canada

TROPHY FINAL
Argentina 7 – 19 France

5th PLACE FINAL
Kenya 21 – 33 Fiji

BRONZE FINAL
New Zealand 24 – 19 Scotland

CUP FINAL
South Africa 17 – 19 England