2018 RWC7s Championship 5th Place SF

The USA Rugby Men’s 7s team faced Scotland in the 5th place semifinal on Sunday, July 22. The USA dominated the possession and thrilled the crowd with excellent ball handling and defense in winning 28-0.

With the win, the team will play Argentina, 26-15 winners over France, for 5th place at 5:02 pm PT. In the round of 16, the USA Men’s Eagles defeated Wales 35-0 and then lost to England 24-19 in extra time in a Rugby World Cup 7s Championship Quarterfinal.

USA v Scotland Recap

Folau Niua opened the match kicking with the USA claiming the ball. Danny Barrett went into contact 5-meters from the line but was penalized for not releasing. Scotland attacked, but Jamie Farndale knocked on the ball giving the EaAgles 7s a scrum.

A Maka Unufe break began a team effort with Madison Hughes being taken into touch within a meter from the line. At the following breakdown, Harvey Elms was issued a yellow card for Scotland. The USA capitalized as Maka Unufe found a gap for a try. Madison Hughes then converted for a 7-0 lead.

Scotland advanced the ball to the USA 22-meters, but a penalty allowed the USA to clear for a lineout at midfield. The USA went through multiple phases utilizing some quality offloads before Madison Hughes dotted down under the posts. Hughes then converted giving the team a 14-0 lead at the break.

The USA attacked from the second half restart as Stephen Tomasin pounced on the ball and it was then swung wide with the USA being driven into touch 5 meters from the line. Brett Thompson then finished the attack with a try and Hughes converted extending the lead to 21-0.

Scotland gained the restart and attacked to midfield before the USA took over. Then it was out wide to Carlin Isles who rounded the wide channel and was off to the races, stepping a defender just prior to the line for a try. Hughes again converted to increase the lead to 28-0.

With the win, the USA will play Argentina, who beat France 26-15, for 5th place.

Men’s Eagles 7s: 1 Carlin Isles 2 Ben Pinkelman 3 Danny Barrett 4 Matei Leuta 5 Brett Thompson 6 Kevon Williams 7 Folau Niua 8 Maka Unufe 9 Stephen Tomasin 10 Madison Hughes (C) 11 Peter Baker 12 Martin Iosefo + HC Mike Friday (Starters Bolded)

Scotland: 1 Scott Riddell 2 Nyle Godsmark 3 Alec Coombes 4 Robbie Fergusson 5 Craig Jackson 6 Joe Nayacavou 7 Jamie Farndale 8 Harvey Elms 9 Sam Pecqueur 10 Gavin Lowe 11 Max McFarland 12 Jack Cuthbert + HC John Dalziel (Starters Bolded)