VANCOUVER, B.C. - Australia won the battle of possession and most restarts which subsequently led to a 7-29 victory over the USA in the Vancouver Pool D finale.
After two wins over Samoa (19-5) and Scotland (28-12), the USA Men’s Sevens struggled without many opportunities to attack. Even with ball, the Eagles Sevens were unable to execute at critical moments.
"It has been a mixed day but ultimately we got the job done and are into the Cup Quarterfinals against South Africa,' said Head Coach Mike Friday.
"The first two performances were workmanlike. In the last game against Australia, we worked hard in defense to get the ball back but it was ultimately our lack of composure in possession which cost us and gifted the ball back too easily and this tricky Australian team made us pay.
"If we want to challenge the clinical South Africa tomorrow, we'll need to tighten up our one-on-one tackles — as well as our kick off receipt — to ensure our decision-making is composed when we have ball in hand.'
Though Australia exploded in the second half, the match remained close until the break.
Stephen Tomasin scored the lone try for the U.S. at the tail end of a rhythmic display of passes which saw the entire squad combine to keep the attack alive. An unsettling yellow card to Naima Fuala’au came just before the half, giving the Aussies advantage when play resumed.
Australia reclaimed almost every restart in the next half, pairing skillful phase play with quick line speed to score three tries in route to the winning lead.
The match concluded with an impressive chase down by Carlin Isles who sprinted clear across the pitch to catch Australia’s Lachie Miller before he could dot down for a hat trick. Though Isles was unsuccessful, the effort itself spoke volumes and serves as an indication of the intensity needed to carry the Americans through the knockouts on Day Two.
Finishing second in Pool D, the USA will now face the winner of South Africa vs England in the Cup Quarterfinals at 2:19 PM ET on NBC Sports Gold.
TRIES | Stephen Tomasin
CONS | Madison Hughes
STARTERS
3. Danny Barrett
10. Madison Hughes
9. Stephen Tomasin
11. Perry Baker
12. Martin Iosefo
2. Malon Al-Jiboori
7. Naima Fuala’au
SUBSTITUTIONS
1. Carlin Isles (9’)
8. Maka Unufe (7’)
6. Kevon Williams (10’)
5. Cody Melphy (12’)
4. Maceo Brown (9’)
VANCOUVER SCHEDULE & RESULTS
Pool D
vs Samoa | 19-5 (W)
vs Scotland | 28-12 (W)
vs Australia | 7-29 (L)
Cup Quarterfinals
vs | 2:19 PM ET
