The USA Men’s Falcons opened pool play at the 2020 McDonald’s Coral Coast 7s on January 16 (Eastern time) with a 21-21 draw against Natadra in Sigatoka, Fiji at Lawaqa Park. The team then faced Tadadamu losing 28-19 after two comeback tries. The final match against the Stallions was moved up a day due to weather conditions and the Falcons lost a defensive battle 7-0 to finish fourth in their pool.
The Falcons will face the Shangri-La’s in the Bowl Quarterfinals on Friday, janaury 17 at 5:20 pm ET.
The tournament features 44 invitational teams in men’s, women’s and youth events. A total of 16 teams make up the men’s sector.
Senior USA Men’s Sevens assistant coach Phil Greening is the head coach of the Falcons at the Coral Coast Sevens. The Falcons will face Natadra, Tabadamu, and the Stallions in Pool C starting at 4:36 PM ET on Thursday, January 16. Matches are streamed LIVE on https://www.fijione.tv/live-tv/.
USA Men’s Falcons 21-21 Natadra
The USA opened the match with a try by Tohi Angilau, which was converted by Cody Melphy for a 7-0 lead.
Natadra answered back with a try under the posts by J Yamata, which was converted by T Dauguna to level the match at 7 all. They scored another converted try in the right corner by T Dauguna and a third try after a penalty advantage quick tap by J Vatuwaliwali with converting again for a 21-7 lead at the break.
The USA answered back with a try by Maceo Brown in the left corner. A late tackle on Brown resulted in V Dekei being sent to the bin. A Brwon offload to Houston SaberCats Malacchi Esdale had the Falcons leveling the match at 21 all after Cody Melphy’s conversion.
The USA had one last chance with Mikey Te’o stepping, however, a forward pass to Malon Al-Jiboori ended their attack. The USA will take the comeback draw and will face Tabadamu next, who beat the Stallions in round one action 14-7.
Due to the field conditions, matches were 12 minutes in length.
USA Men’s Falcons vs Tabadamu
The Falcons scored two tries during the first half by Malacchi Esdale and Cody Melphy, with Meplhy adding a conversion for a 12-7 lead at the break.
During the second half, the Falcons took a 19-7 lead after a pop pass by Mikey Te’o to Joe Schroeder for a try, with Melphy adding the extras.
Tabadamu then found seams in the Falcons defense as they had a break by Talacolo for a try under the posts to cut the lead to 19-14. With little time on the clock, they added another for a 21-19 lead and scored another with no time for a final of 28-19.
USA Men’s Falcons vs Stallions
The match against the Stallions was moved up 13 hours due to weather concerns and the Stallions prevailed in a defensive battle 7-0.
The USA Falcons will play in the Bowl Quarterfinal against Shangri-La’s at 5:20 pm ET on Friday, January 17.
Pool C: McDonald’s Coral Coast Sevens Men’s Squads
USA Men’s Falcons: 1 Anthony Welmers (Prop, USA Sevens) 2 Lauina Falatea (Prop, USA Sevens) 3 Gavan D’Amore Morrison (Prop, Old Blue, Rugby United NY) 4 Tohi Angilau (Center, USA Sevens) 5 Joe Schroeder (Prop, USA Sevens) 6 Malon Al-Jiboori (Prop, USA Sevens) 7 Cody Melphy (C) 8 Maceo Brown (Center, USA Sevens) 9 Mikey Te’o (Halfback, USA Sevens, San Diego Legion) 10 Faitala Talapusi (Halfback, USA Sevens) 11 Aaron Gray (Center/Wing, Kutztown University) 12 Malacchi Esdale (Center/Wing, Houston SaberCats)
USA MEN’S FALCONS STAFF
Head Coach Phil Greening
Assistant Coach / Team Manager Brendan Keane
Performance Analyst Dave Gardner
Athletic Trainer Danielle Iosefo
Natadra: 1 E. Vulaca 2 P. Bukavevce 3 K. Dauguna 4 V Dekei 5 R Semisi 6 J Yamata 7 N Dauguna 8 J Vatuwaliwali 9 T Dauguna 10 A Tuiloma 11 N Kelemeeli 12 T Gaunavou
Tabadamu: 1 S Bale 2 G Cakautini 3 P Kelevanua 4 M Laqai 5 J Masi 6 P Nayacakalou 7 O Qamia 8 J Soro 9 D Tabuakuru 10 J Talacolo 11 T Tamani 12 S Tasere
Stallions: 1 A Naituyaga 2 M Ratuniyarawa 3 L Waqabaca 4 M Tui 5 J Dulo 6 A Digitaki 7 S Tunaka 8 P Kadralevu 9 V Bainbure 10 L Hugavou 11 K Mocetadra 12 A Bitomagimagi
2020 McDonald’s Fiji CORAL COAST SEVENS SCHEDULE & Results
Pool C: Preview Article
- vs Natadra 21-21 Draw
- vs Tabadamu 19-28 L
- vs Stallions 0-7 L
Knockout Stages
- Bowl Quarterfinals Friday, Jan 17 at 5:20 PM ET vs Shangri-La’s
Follow @USARugby on Twitter, Instagram Story and Facebook Story for score updates, matchups and timings. LIVE Stream available at facebook.com/fijiscoralcoast7s.
COMPETITION FORMAT
The top two teams in each pool progress to the Cup Quarterfinals where the bottom two teams will enter the Bowl Quarterfinals.
Teams who win their quarterfinals will advance to the Cup or Bowl semifinals and finals.
Those who lose their Cup Quarterfinals will play in the plate semifinal while those who lose their Bowl Quarterfinals will play in the 13th place semifinals and final.
