Eagles 7s vs. Fiji – Silicon Valley 7s
The Eagles 7s were undefeated in Pool play beating Tonga, New Zealand, and Chile at the Silicon Valley 7s and advanced to the Cup Quarterfinals against Fiji. The USA was seed second for the Finals, while Fiji was the seventh seed, having gone 1-1-1 in the Pool rounds.
The Eagles 7s jumped out to a 17-0 lead and beat Fiji 24-5 to advance to the Cup Semi-Finals against England, who beat Samoa.
All matches for the November 4-5, 2017 tournament are being streamed live by USA Sevens Rugby on their Facebook page.
Eagles 7s Defeat Fiji – Recap
The Eagles 7s had a dominant first half against Fiji, playing rugby with a pace that Fiji could not match.
Folau Niua set up the first two tries. For the first, he executed a dummy and passed the ball out wide left to Kevin Williams, who took the ball at full speed into the corner for a try. Niua then grubbed the ball and Martin Iosefo gathered the ball and went in for a try splitting two defenders. Niua converted and the lead was 12-0.
Chris Mattina intercepted a Jasa Vermalua pass and Nacaniela Batina was issued a yellow card for a high tackle on Mattina around the neck. The Eagles kick into touch and then attacked from a lineout. At the breakdown, the ball was spun to Joe Schroeder who added the team’s third try for the 17-0 lead.
The restart went to Fiji and after a quick offload to Netani Vakayalia, he ran 75 meters for a try in the corner to cut the deficit to 17-5 at the break. That was the first time that Fiji advanced into USA territory the entire half.
Second Half
The Eagles 7s continued their blistering pace after Tomasin took the second half restart and then Ben Pinkelman drove his way through multiple defenders to midfield. It then appeared that Tomasin was tip-tackled after his offload to Martin Iosefo, who went in for a try in the corner. Niua converted for a 24-5 lead.
The tackle on Tamasin resulted in a second yellow card by Fiji.
The Eagles took the restart and advanced the ball after a penalty to midfield. A Tomasin chip ahead was knocked through in-goal by a Fiji player resulting in a 5-meter scrum to the USA. The ball was knocked on and Fiji was able to attack, but a knock on resulted in a scrum to the USA, who won the ball and Niua kicked into touch for the 24-5 victory.
The Eagles 7s will face England in the Cup Semi-Finals, who beat Samoa 25-10. In the other Semi-Final, Australia, who beat New Zealand 38-7 will face Chile, who defeated Japan 24-10.
Silicon Valley 7s Schedule
USA Rugby Men’s Sevens – Saturday, November 4th, 2017
- United States v Tonga – W 29-7
- United States v New Zealand – W 24-12
- United States v Chile -W 29-21
- United States v Fiji – Cup Quarterfinals W 24-5
Squads & Silicon Valley 7s Preview
USA: 1. Malon Al-Jiboori 2. Ben Pinkelman (C) 3. Joe Schroeder 4. Matai Leuta 5. Ryan Matyas 6. Anthony Welmers 7. Folau Niua 8. Maka Unufe Jr. 9. Stephen Tomasin 10. Chris Mattina 11. Kevon Williams 12. Martin Iosefo 13. Madison Hughes
USA Rugby Men’s Sevens Staff: Mike Friday (Head Coach), Chris Brown (Assistant Coach), Brian Green (Physio), Paul Goulding (Team Analyst), Sarah Sall (Team Manager)
Fiji: Jasa Veremalua (C) Josua Kurinabuli Leo Naikasau Alofosio Rauto Manueli Ratuniyarawa Anare Tevita Amenoni Nasilasila Emosi Mulevoro Nacanieli Batina Asesela Ratudamu Netani Vakayalia
Eagles 7s: Silicon Valley 7s Preview
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