The HSBC World Sevens Series Sydney Sevens was held on January 31-Feb. 1, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. This was a combined Women’s and Men’s event that had modified determination of place finishes as the Quarterfinal round has been eliminated. The latter has created an uproar in the rugby community.
The USA won their pool with victories over Scotland, Japan, and Australia. They had a narrow loss to South Africa and then defeated England for the bronze.
The HSBC Sevens Series now moved to Los Angeles for the LA Sevens on February 29-March 1.
USA 32-14 Scotland
The USA Men’s Sevens opened the Sydney Sevens with a 32-14 win against Scotland in the fourth men’s round of the 2020 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
Ben Pinkelman and Stephen Tomasin each scored two tries, with Maka Unufe and Cody Melph adding solo tries.
USA 45-7 Japan
The USA combined for seven tries by controlling possession from the restarts and going through phases.
Perry Baker scored the first two tries in a row and Carlin Isles scored three consecutive in the second half. Cody Melphy and Naima Fuala’au each had solo tries with Tomasin converting three times and Melph twice.
USA 43-7 Australia
The USA Men’s Sevens exploded for 43 points against Australia in the final match in Pool play. This gave the U.S. their first semifinal appearance of the HSBC Sevens Series.
Perry Baker scored a hat trick, Carlin Isles added two more with Cody Melphy and Matai Leuta adding solo ones.
Australia held nearly no possession all game with only one try in the fourth minute.
Both Isles (199) and Baker (198) are each closing in on 200 career HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tries.
Semi-Finals: USA 12-19 South Africa
The USA Men’s Sevens matched South Africa for all 14-minute, however, South Africa emerged with a 19-12 win in the semifinals.
South Africa scored first and the USA answered back with two tries set up by Martin Iosefo. The first was scored by Iosefo and then by Ben Pinkelman on the restart.
South Africa answered back with a try to level the match at 12 all. In the 11th minute, South Africa’s Stedman Gans executed a dummy, and scored the winning try.
Bronze Final: USA 17-10 England
The USA Men’s Sevens finished the Sydney Sevens by defeating England to win a bronze medal at HSBC Sydney Sevens in the fourth men’s round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
They claimed 17 Series points and moved up to sixth in the standings with the next round to be held at home in Los Angeles from February 29 to March 1.
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The USA came out on fire, scoring three tries by Perry Baker, Ben Pinkelmand and Naima Fuala’au to lead 17-0 at the break.
England answered back with two tries in the second half for a final of 17-10, giving the USA the Bronze medal.
The HSBC LA Sevens kicks off on February 29 & March 1 at Dignity Health Sports Park. Tickets are on sale now at lasevensrugby.com.
Squad & Staff
USA Men’s Eagles 7s: 1 Carlin Isles (wing, 54) 2 Ben Pinnkelman (prop/hooker, 34) 3 Danny Barrett (prop, 51) 4 Matei Leuta (prop, 39) 5 Marcus Tupuola (wing, 5) 6 Kevon Williams (halfback/wing, 24) 7 Naima Fua’laau (halfback, 40 8 Maka Unufe (center, 40) 9 Stephen Tomasin (hooker, 34) 10 Cody Melphy (Halfback, 3)11 Perry Baker (wing, 44) 12 Martin Iosefo (center, 43)
Head Coach Mike Friday, Assistant Coach Anthony Roques, Strength & Conditioning John Hood, Athletic Trainer Brian Green, Team Manager Scott Novack
Sydney Sevens Results
vs Scotland | 32-14 (W)
vs Japan | 45-7 (W)
vs Australia | 43-7 (W)
Cup Semifinal
vs South Africa | 12-19 (L)
Bronze Final
vs England | 17-10 (W)
LA Sevens
Following the tournament stops in Hamilton and in Sydney, the USA Men’s Sevens will return to home soil for the fifth round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Los Angeles, California from February 29 to March 1, 2020.
The USA Sevens was previously held in Las Vegas but has moved to Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles. The Eagles Sevens aim to win their third straight gold in front of a home crowd. Tickets and event information for HSBC LA Sevens 2020 are available now at lasevensrugby.com.
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