Hong Kong Sevens: Yanks limp into play-offs
DAY TWO WRAP: The United States Eagles are still in the fight, despite narrow losses to England and Wales in the tournament’s final pool matches on Saturday.
England leapt ahead over the series leaders 14-0 after a clever feint in the second minute by Dan Norton, who a day earlier overtook Kenya’s Collins Injera as the Sevens’ all-time top try-scorer.
One more try followed a minute later from Phil Burgess before Eagles prop Ben Pinkleman capped a hat trick 90 seconds after the half-time break.
But captain Madison Hughes missed two crucial conversions and the Americans struggled to the 28-22 finish a man down when substitute Marcus Fasitupe was sent off after barely a minute on-field.
Wales snatched a 21-19 victory earlier in the day after riding out the clock following a 12th minute Joe Goodchild try and conversion by captain Luke Treharne.
“That Wales one was especially disappointing,” Hughes said after the England match.
“We just came out flat and not really with it. We’ve just got to have a hard look at ourselves… today is not the sort of day we want.”
The United States will progress to Sunday’s knockout round despite only one win in the group stage and start against South Africa, while England take on Samoa.
Reigning Hong Kong champions Fiji finished at the top of their bracket after a 24-5 demolition of New Zealand.
Buoyed by a vocal posse of blue-wigged supporters in the north stand, Livai Ikanikoda drove home Fiji’s third try a moment after converting for Vilimoni Botitu, bringing his side up 19-0 at the first half.
Joe Ravouvou salvaged some dignity for New Zealand in the closing minutes with his fifth try of the tournament.
Fiji and New Zealand have between them won two out of every three championships at Hong Kong since the tournament’s founding in 1976.
But Fijian captain Paula Dranisinukula set the fierce rivalry aside at the start of the match to pass a framed tribute to his New Zealand counterpart Scott Curry to mark last month’s terror attack in Christchurch.
Australia finished third in their pool after their sole group stage 28-12 win over 2018 runners-up Kenya, who have struggled through the weekend with an ageing squad and in the shadow of a recent salary dispute.
Argentina and France round out Sunday’s cup chase while Russia are out of the race to rejoin the series in 2020.
The Bears, knocked out of the competition last year and helmed by Fijian Sevens legend Waisale Serevi for the last five months, went down to Ireland in a 47-0 drubbing in the qualifying quarter-finals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKIY-udu3nk
Pool A
Results:
Samoa 31-21 Japan
South Africa 26-10 Scotland
Scotland 33-19 Japan
South Africa 21-7 Samoa
Pool B
Results:
Argentina 26-21 Portugal
France 24-12 Canada
Canada 19-12 Portugal
France 26-14 Argentina
Pool C
Results:
New Zealand 36-0 Kenya
Fiji 31-12 Australia
Australia 28-12 Kenya
Fiji 24-5 New Zealand
Pool D
Results:
England 54-5 Spain
United States 19-21 Wales
Wales 10-26 Spain
United States 22-28 England
