USA Men's Eagles Sevens Advance to Hong Kong Cup QFs

USA Rugby Men’s Eagles Sevens opened the Cathay Pacific HSBC Sevens Series Hong Kong Sevens with a 36-7 win over Spain in Pool D. Preceding the match, England beat Wales 36-19. Matches are being broadcast LIVE in the U.S. on watch.espnplus.com.

The team then lost 21-19 to Wales and 28-20 to England. A Spain win over Wales, had the U.S. advancing to the Cup Quarterfinals against South Africa at 10:58 PM ET.

The Eagles Sevens came into the tournament ranked 1st in the world. They were in Pool D along with 11th ranked Spain, 13th ranked Wales, and 5th ranked England. Knockout rounds for Pool D begin as early as 9:30 PM ET on Saturday, April 6.

Match Recap – USA vs Wales

Wales came out strong in the first half against England and proved to be a tough opponent in stealing a win in the last minute over the Eagles 7s team, 21-19.

Wales took an early 7-0 lead with a try by Cambriani and a conversion by Treharne. The USA answered back after Ben Pinkelman gathered a loose ball and offloaded to Carlin isles for a try, which was converted by Kevon Williams.

Wales claimed the restart and Treharne outraced Martin Iosefo down touch. After a TMO, it was ruled that he did not step on the touchline and a try was awarded, which he then converted for a 14-7 lead.

The Eagles finished the half going through phases with Matai Leuta passing to Isles for his brace. Folau Niua then slotted the conversion to level the match at 14 all.

In the first possession of the second half, a Brett Thompson pass resulted in a hat trick by Isles for a 19-14 lead.

The USA had the opportunity to push the lead, as Martin Iosefo raced down touch, but a Welsh defender knocked the ball loose before he grounded.

Wales then countered with Goodchild scoring a try in the final minute and Treharne slotting the kick for the 21-19 win.

Match Recap – USA vs England

England scored three consecutive tries by Glover, Norton, and Burgess, with Dan Bibby slotting the conversions for a 21-0 lead.

Prior to the break, a high tackle on Ben Pinkelman and another England penalty had the U.S. on the attack. A turnover was poached back by Madison Hughes with Ben Pinkelman grounding under the posts and Hughes converting to cut the lead to 21-7.

The U.S. followed with poach by Martin Iosefo, a penalty by England, and a strong run by Hughes ultimately led to a Pinkelman try for a 21-12 score at the break.

The momentum shift continued during the second half with offloads by Iosefo to Niua for a hat trick by Pinkelman, to narrow the lead to 21-17.

Then errors plagued the U.S., which led to an England scrum. Ellery raced in for a try, with Marcus Tupuola catching up, but was sent to the bin on the tackle.

The U.S. added a final try as Joe Schroeder offloaded to Marcus Tupola for a try with the final, 28-22 to England.

The U.S. finished 1-2 in Pool play, but a 26-10 victory by Spain over Wales advanced the team to the Cup Quarterfinals over Wales based on point differential.

The U.S will face South Africa on April 6 at 10:58 PM ET.

Men’s Eagles Sevens Squad – Extended Squad Preview

USA Men’s Eagles 7s: 1. Carlin Isles 2. Ben Pinkelman 3. Joe Schroeder 4. Matai Leuta 5. Brett Thompson 6. Kevon Williams 7. Folau Niua 8. Maceo Brown 9. Stephen Tomasin 10. Madison Hughes 11. Marcus Tupuola 12. Martin Iosefo 13. Ben Broselle