2019 #Vegas7s: @Eagles7s Go Back to Back The Hard Way

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LAS VEGAS, USA – The fifth third leg of the 2018/2019 Men’s Sevens World Series is in the books. The American swing of the tour started out equally successful as last year for the @Eagles7s. They won it all of all again

Americans win it all in Vegas, again:

The Eagles went into Vegas without the reigning back to back 7s world player of the year, Perry Baker. Despite that big loss the USA managed to match last year’s feat and won it all.

In their opening pool match win over Kenya, the USA had a very dominant performance. They faced a young Kenya squad and the used put out a dominated performance. The USA got out to an earlier and the Kenya’s fought back a bit but the USA regained control of the match in the first half. The second half say the use cruise to victory with Kenya scoring at the final whistle to make the score 26-10. In the USA’s second match on Day 1, The USA faced a very fiesta Argentina that would not back down. The Eagles looked really good in the first half and seemed like they were gonna be able to cruise to victory as the lead 19-7 at the half. In the second half, the Argies came roaring back to take the lead briefly before the USA took the lead at the near death. Near death is key because there was still time left on the clock and the Argies had the ball. And in the final play of the game Argentina went over to score and win 26-24. This was the first lost for the USA this season that was not in a final.

On the second day was against France. This was another game where the USA started out hot and took a 12-0 lead going into the half. After halftime the USA scored once again to go up 19-0, but it was then when France fought back. France were able to score two tries but the USA defense held its resolved to shutdown the French attack and win 19-10. This win assured the USA would move on to the playoffs and the road to the title was gonna be a tough one. At first I was excited that the USA didn’t draw New Zealand or Fiji as those two sides were facing themselves, then I saw they drew South Africa! There was no need to worry because the USA came out focused and used the best defense is a great offense approach. The USA won a scrum to score their first try and then made sure to win the kickoffs to keep possession and score some more to go into the half up 19-0. In the second the USA kept on the pressure and attack and scored two more tries. South Africa finally got on the bored with two late tries to improve the score line but it was dominant 29-10 victory for the USA. In the Cup semi-final, the USA would face New Zealand, who just got by Fiji.

USA’s Carlin Isles celebrates the match winning try against New Zealand in the Cup Semi Final on day three of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Las Vegas on 3 March, 2019. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby

On the third day, the USA took on the Kiwis. Fast starts continued to be the theme for the USA with them jumping out to a 12-0 lead in the first half. The USA and Kiwis traded tries to start the second half before the Kiwis scored two quick tries to tie up the game. With very little time on the clock the USA methodically marched up the field forcing Kiwi penalty after penalty until they were five meters out and Kiwi was shown a yellow card for persistent fouls. As the use attacked, Carlin Isles snuck weakside on an unprotected ruck to score the game winner and send the USA to their 5 straight final. In the final, the USA would face Samoa. There are no easy games, especially a final but going up against Samoa after having to beat South Africa and New Zealand meant the USA was more than ready to win. The USA dominated from start to finish and never let Samoa get going to win 27-0. The Eagles had won on home soil for a second straight season and were now in sole possession of first place on the circuit.

The Rest of the World:

It is always a big deal when the home team wins a leg is great for the tour and USA fans agree. New Zealand tried to keep pace by winning third place. England defeated Fiji to claim fifth. Scotland were able to shake off a poor day of pool play to win against Spain to claim the Challenge Trophy.

Final standings were:
Cup: USA
Second: Samoa
Third: New Zealand
Fifth: England
Challenge Trophy: Scotland