Eagles Lose To South Africa, 4th At USA Sevens

March 6, 2016

Photo: World Rugby

Doug Coil

The USA narrowly lost 21-14 to Fiji and face South Africa in a pool play rematch with South Africa for third place at the HSBC World Sevens Series – USA Sevens in Las Vegas.

The USA Men’s Eagles Sevens is playing in front of a packed house at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. They are down to ten players with with Maka Unufe and Will Holder out from injuries.

Folau Niua kicked off to begin the match, but the the Eagles are penalised at the breakdown. Penalities are assisting South Africa attacks and they begin another inside the Eagles 22. Madison Hughes hand was hit when he passed and Tim Agaaba was in for a try Branco du Preez slotted the ball for a 7-0 lead for South Africa.

The restart went deep for South Africa and Danny Barrett emerged in a long run before off loading to Zack Test. The ball was later lost by the USA and a scrum resulted to South Africa. he USA regained possession and quick hands had Perry Baker in for a try. Madison Hughes missed the conversion , but narrowed the score to 5-7 in favor of South Africa.

On the restart the ball was caught and kicked deep. Baker raced for the ball and had a crunching hit in-goal when South Africa recovered. That play was called back as the ball had not traveled 10 meters and was restarted again at midfield by South Africa.

On the restart, the ball did not go 10 and South Africa was able to find a gap for a Seabelo Senatla try. The conversion was made and the score was Eagles 5 to 14 for South Africa at halftime.

The second half began with a South Africa attack and Branco du Preez evaded a tackle for a try and his own conversion. USA 5-21 South Africa.

The Eagles went on the attack after South Africa was penalised. With mulitple phases Barrett went into contact deep. Carlin isles moved within one meter of scoring. MAdison Hughes had his shot, but South Africa is defending well.

A scrum was then won and Carlin isles touched down in the far corner. The conversion was missed. Score 10-21 in favor of South Africa.

A lineout was won by the USA, but a pass stopped the Eagles attack when the ball went off the hands of Barrett. South Africa won the lineout and kicked into touch to win the match 21-10.

USA Eagles Starters: Barrett, Bender, Test, Niua, Hughes, Baker, Iosefo

USA Men’s Eagles Sevens | HSBC USA Sevens
1. Carlin Isles 2. Ben Pinkelman 3. Danny Barrett 4. Garrett Bender 5. Zack Test 6. Will Holder 7. Folau Niua 8. Maka Unufe 9. Nate Augspurger 10. Madison Hughes (C) 11. Perry Baker 12. Martin Iosefo

Men’s Eagles Sevens | HSBC USA Sevens