USA Men’s Eagles Sevens & Dubai Sevens

The USA Men’s Eagles Sevens advanced to their first-ever Dubai Sevens Final, losing to New Zealand 21-5. With their silver medal performance, they picked up 19 points in the standings. The top four teams at the end of the HSBC World Sevens Series will qualify for the Olympics. Currently, those spots are New Zealand, USA, England, and Australia.

The USA went 2-1 in pool play with a 29-0 win over Spain, a 33-12 win over Wales, before losing to New Zealand 24-7. In the Cup Quarterfinals, the team beat Fiji 24-14 and then dispatched Australia 22-17. This set up a Cup Final rematch against New Zealand. Once again New Zealand emerged with the win, 21-5 winning their second consecutive cup. The USA won the silver and sit in second place in the Series standings.

USA vs Spain

It was all USA against Spain in winning 29-0. Danny Barrett opened the scoring from a lineout giving the team a 5-0 lead. Perry Baker scored next with Madison Hughes connecting for a 12-0 lead. Matai Leuta added a third try in the half after a turnover, pushing the lead to 17-0.

Baker and Carlin Isles added second-half tries in giving the U.S. this first with at the Dubai Sevens.

USA vs Wales

The USA moved to 2-0 in Pool play with a 33-12 win over Wales and secured a Cup quarterfinal spot.

The USA took a 14-0 lead at the break with Folau Niua and Perry Baker scoring tries and Madison Hughes adding both conversions.

The USA then traded tires by Niua and by Wales Trehane, with Tomasin adding the conversion. Hughes then added the 4th USA try before Wales answered back with a try by Jones. Kevon Williams scored the final try in the last minute giving the USA a 33-12 win.

USA vs New Zealand

The opening kick set the tone for the match as Perry Baker was sent to the bin while going for the ball on the kick. Sam Dickson and Andrew Knewstubb scored first-half tries for New Zealand with Knewstubb adding the conversions.

Dylan Collier then scored from a set piece for a 19-0 lead. While finishing in second place in the Pool was now a foregone conclusion, Carlin Isles provided the crowd with a highlight video try with Hughes converting. Masirewa added a final try for New Zealand and the 24-7 win.

Cup Quarterfinals: USA vs Fiji

The key to performing well in tournaments are winning the Cup quarterfinals. The USA took this to heart in beating Fiji 24-14.

Danny Barrett powered his way inside the Fiji 22-meters and Perry Baker finished with a try giving the team a 5-0 lead. Fiji answered back with a try by Apenisa Cakaubalavu and after the conversion Fiji lead 7-5. Baker scored a second try prior to the break to give the USA a 12-7 lead.

The USA scored consecutive ties by Martin Iosefo and by Folau Niua for a 24-7 lead. Cakaubalavu scored a second try, but it was too late for Fiji with the USA advancing to the Cup semifinals with a 24-14 win.

Cup Semifinals: USA vs. Australia

Perry Baker and Matai Leuta scored the first two tries of the match with Madison Hughes converting the first. John Porch answered back with two tries and a conversion to knot the match at 12 all at the break.

Perry Baker was sent to the bin with an attempted intercept knocked forward. Australia took advance of this with Anderson scoring for a 17-12 lead. The USA answered back with Stephen Tomasin gaining his 50th career try.

With no time remaining. Folau Niua took a quick tap from an Australia penalty and Danny Barrett dove over the line for a 22-17 win and a Cup Final.

Cup Final: USA vs New Zealand

The USA had some early opportunities, but New Zealand’s Ng Shiu scored the first try and Koroi converted for a 7-0 lead. The USA answered back as the team used quick hands by Niua to Pinkelman to Tomasin for a try, cutting the lead to 7-5.

New Zealand used a quick lineout to give Dylan Collier an easy try under the posts with Andrew Knewstubb slotting the conversion. New Zealand’s McGarvey-Black added a final try in the left corner and Knewstubb again slotted the conversion for a 21-5 win.

The USA will take the silver medal performance and hope the momentum continues at Cape Town next week.

Men’s Eagles Sevens Roster: 1 Carlin Isles 2 Ben Pinkelman 3 Danny Barrett 4 Matai Leuta 5 Brett Thompson 6 Kevon Williams 7 Folau Niua 8 Maceo Brown* 9 Steve Tomasin 10 Madison Hughes (Captain) 11 Perry Baker 12 Martin Iosefo 13 Marcus Tupuola*

*Could make their first HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series appearance. All players are part of the Men’s Sevens residency program. Preview article.

Men’s Eagles Sevens Staff

Head Coach Mike Friday
Assistant Coach Anthony “Rocky” Roques
Strength & Conditioning Coach Matt Long
Athletic Trainer Brian Green
Team Manager Scott Novack