USA Finish Second to Australia in Pool D at Canada Sevens

The HSBC Canada Sevens is being held on March 7-8, 2020 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The USA Men’s Sevens finished fifth in Los Angeles after losing their Cup Quarterfinal to South Africa and claimed 13 points towards their Series standing. They are now ranked seventh overall with three stops until the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

The USA is in Pool D and will face the same opponents as they did in Los Angeles in Samoa, Scotland, and Australia. The original Series format will return for Vancouver with the top two teams in each pool advancing to the Cup Quarterfinals and the bottom two being placed in the consolation rounds.

The USA opened pool play with a 19-5 win over Samoa and defeated Scotland 28-12 and concluded pool play losing 29-7 to Australia to finish second in Pool D. The USA and Australia will either play England or South Africa in the Cup Quarterfinals.

Prior to the USA vs Australia match, Scotland and Samoa played to a 19 all draw with Scotland taking third place in the pool based on point differential.

The USA vs Australia Recap

Australia struck first following gathering the ball from the opening kickoff. Lachie Miller took an offload for a try to lead 5-0.

The USA answered right back with a try by Steve Tomasin with Madison Hughes adding the extras for a 7-5 lead.

An Australia run by Henry Hutchison was defended by Malon Al-Jiboori with the USA gaining a scrum. Australia picked off a Danny Barrett pass and Naima Fuala’au was sent to the bin for interfering with the score by Miller, 10-7.

A Madison Hughes kick ahead was chased by Perry Baker, but Australia gathered the ball and could not score on a 4 on 1 attack.

Second Half

Australia opened the half with a grub kick that was recovered after it went 10-meters. The USA was penalized at the breakdown and the Aussies went through a couple of phases before Henry Hutchison scored in the right corner following another penalty to push the lead to 15-7.

On the ensuing restart, the ball was tapped and Henry Hutchison gathered and raced down the left wide channel for a try with Lewis Holland adding the extras, 22-7.

Lachie Miller then added a hat trick with Carlin Isles chasing him down in-goal. Holland added the extras to lead 29-7.

The USA will face the winner of Pool A in the Cup Quarterfinals with Australia facing the loser. They will play either England and South Africa, which plays later.

USA: 1. Carlin Isles (Wing, 56) 2. Malon Al-Jiboori (Prop/Hooker, 9) 3. Danny Barrett (Prop, 53) 4. Maceo Brown (Center,13) 5. Cody Melphy (Halfback, 5) 6. Kevon Williams (Halfback/Wing, 26) 7. Naima Fuala’au (Halfback, 7) 8. Maka Unufe (Center, 42) 9. Stephen Tomasin (Hooker, 36) 10. Madison Hughes (C) Halfback, 51) 11. Perry Baker (Wing, 46) 12. Martin Iosefo (Center, 45) 13. Ben Broselle (Center, 6)

STAFF

Head Coach Mike Friday
Assistant Coach Anthony Roques
Strength & Conditioning John Hood
Performance Analyst Dave Gardner
Athletic Trainer Brian Green
Team Manager Scott Novack