March 11, 2017
Eagles Dominates Japan at Canada Sevens
Photo: All World Photo
Doug Coil
The Eagles Sevens played ball control in the first half to lead Japan 26-0 at the break. Japan had their first touch of the ball after the 6th minute and did not have many opportunities in the match. The accelerator continues during the second half and the Eagles capped off a 52-0 win to begin pool play at the HSBC Canada Sevens. All players for USA enjoyed some action early in this tournament.
In other Pool C action, Australia beat France 12-7.
The Canada Sevens is being held at BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Despite the cold weather outside, the matches are being played without the outside elements in play.
USA v Japan
Folau Niua kicked the opening restart and Danny Barrett tapped to Perry Baker. A Niua dummy had him finding a gap to Japan’s 22 meters. Martin Iosefo executed a pop pass to Stephen Tomasin for a try at the 1st minute. Madison Hughes converted to lead 7-0.
The USA captured the restart and a Barrett offload led to a Perry Baker try. Hughes converted to increase their lead to 14-0. Barrett then won a penalty for the USA off the restart and bulled his way forward. Niua brought the ball to within 6 meters of the try line before the ball went to Barrett for his 50th career try. Hughes added his third conversion to lead 21-0 after 4 minutes.
Finally, with a minute left in the first half, Japan had their first touch of the ball. They were not able to pierce the Eagles defense as Baker stripped the ball and a Tomasin to Baker pass set up a Baker try after the hooter. At halftime the USA had a 26-0 lead.
The second half began like the first half with Barrett getting the ball wide to Baker. The ball came back, but the ball was knocked forward by Barrett. Soon after a scrum to Japan, the Eagles regained possession and a Maka Unufe offload to Baker led to a try under the posts. After Hughes converted the score was 33-0.
The tries would continue as offloads from Baker to Durutalo to Pinkelman led to Pinkelman’s 10th career try. Tomasin’s conversion was wide right. After the restart, Ben Pinkelman ran deep into Japan’s territory and Folau Niua chipped the ball ahead allowing Tomasin to pick and go in for a try. Tomasin converted his own try to increase the lead to 45-0.
The Eagles had one more try left in the closing minute as touches by Niua, Walt Elder and Unufe led to Pinkelman adding his second try of the match. Tomasin then added a conversion for a 52-0 win.
The USA will play France in their second pool match at 1:28pm PT (4:28 EDT). In the other Pool C match, Australia will face Japan.
Men’s Eagles Sevens – HSBC USA Sevens
1. Pat Blair 2. Ben Pinkelman 3. Danny Barrett 4. Matai Leuta 5. Walt Elder 6. Andrew Durutalo 7. Folau Niua 8. Maka Unufe 9. Stephen Tomasin 10. Madison Hughes (C) 11. Perry Baker 12. Martin Iosefo
Men’s Eagles Sevens – HSBC Canada Sevens
v. Japan – W52-0
v. France – Saturday, March 11 @ 4:28 p.m. ET
v. Australia – Saturday, March 11 @ 8:08 p.m. ET
