Men’s Eagles still tops after Sydney Silver

The USA Men’s Eagles are still on top of the HSBC Sevens Series table after a Silver finish in Sydney. It’s the fourth consecutive Cup Final appearance for the team though the ultimate victory continues to elude them. As they did in the women’s bracket, New Zealand claimed first place and with it a share of first overall as they are now tied with the Eagles on 76 points.

Two tries apiece from Stephen Tomasin and captain Madison Hughes gave the team an easy win over Spain in the Cup Quarter Finals. It was Tomasin and Ben Pinkelman who touched down against England in the Semi, with neither team able to score in a tense second half. New Zealand had beaten Fiji in the other Semi Final and ran out to a 21-0 lead in the Final before Brett Thompson could get one over for the USA.

The other two Americas teams – Argentina and Canada – were each relegated to the Challenge Trophy draw after the pool stage. Both won their first matches of Day Two, Argentina coasting past Samoa while Canada defeated Scotland with doubles coming from Isaac Kaay and Pat Kay.

It was Argentina who came out on top in the Trophy Semi Final. Fernando Luna and Lautaro Bazán Vélez scored in the first half to give the Pumas a 14-0 lead before Adam Zaruba gave Canada some hope just before the break. Jake Thiel’s try closed the gap to just two but Germán Schulz replied immediately, followed by a second from Luna to seal the result. Connor Braid’s late try for Canada proved academic.

Argentina would win the Trophy Final against Japan to finish in 9th place overall, matching their overall standing. Canada retain their 11th place ranking but are now just one point ahead of France, who picked up a valuable 10 points by reaching the Cup Quarter Finals.

The circuit now moves to North America with Las Vegas up next on March 1 followed by Vancouver beginning on March 9.

 

 

DAY TWO RESULTS

TROPHY QUARTER FINALS
Japan 31-19 Tonga
Wales 19-14 Kenya
Argentina 36-12 Samoa
Canada 35-21 Scotland

CUP QUARTER FINALS
Fiji 22-17 Australia
New Zealand 28-5 France
South Africa 5-26 England
USA 38-10 Spain

13th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Tonga 20-17 Kenya
Samoa 26-12 Scotland

TROPHY SEMI FINALS
Japan 19-17 Wales
Argentina 24-19 Canada

5th PLACE SEMI FINALS
Australia 17-14 France
South Africa 33-0 Spain

CUP SEMI FINALS
Fiji 14-36 New Zealand
England 7-14 USA

13th PLACE FINAL
Tonga 5-25 Samoa

TROPHY FINAL
Japan 7-10 Argentina

5th PLACE FINAL
Australia 10-12 South Africa

BRONZE FINAL
Fiji 17-19 England

CUP FINAL
New Zealand 21-5 USA