USA fairytale continues in Vegas

 

The hosts defeated North American rivals Canada 20-0 to set up their first semifinal since the 2010 Adelaide Sevens.

 

In the other Cup quarterfinals New Zealand proved too strong for Australia thanks to a Joe Webber hat-trick in a 28-5 win while Fiji proved too strong for France. The BlitzBokke, in search of a third successive Cup win at the Sam Boyd Stadium, came from behind to beat England 21-14 thanks to tries from Branco du Preez, Seabelo Senatla and Kwagga Smith.

 

 

Four tries to Savenaca Rawaca set Fiji up for a 24-0 lead at half-time over France as the Pacific islanders turned on the flair in their quarterfinal. Jean Marcellin Buttin put France on the board shortly after the break before Sitiveni Waqa added to Fiji's lead before a late consolation to Les Blues' Bryan Dimeck.

 

The four losing Cup quarter-finalists will contest in the the Plate semi-finals, chasing valuable series points as Olympic qualification continues while Samoa will meet Kenya and Scotland meet Argentina in the Bowl semis with a late penalty drop goal from Gaston Revol securing a 15-12 win over Japan for Los Pumas.

 

In earlier pool play, USA drew 19-19 with defending champions and current series leaders South Africa to finish second in their pool on points difference and reach a third consecutive Cup quarterfinal, while Canada's 24-7 win over Argentina was enough to reach their first Cup quarterfinals of the season.

 

Meanwhile Samoa impressed on Day Two as they made their way to the Bowl quarter finals. They will be joined by Wales, Argentina, Kenya, Portugal, Japan, Scotland and Brazil.

 

The host USA played out an enthralling 19-19 draw in their final pool match with South Africa, Mike Friday's side taking an early lead after Maka Unufe raced 50 metres to score. It was Cecil Afrika's turn to put the afterburners on next, levelling the score before Seabelo Senatla then made the USA pay after a loose ball from Madison Hughes to lead 14-7 at the break. The Eagles bridged the gap to two with the swan-diving Andrew Duratolo crossing in the corner early in the second half before Unufe's second put the locals back in front with three minutes remaining before Warrick Gelant's leveller. 

 

With both sides resting some of their players, New Zealand and Fiji traded first half tries through Joe Webber and Savenaca Rawaca to go into the break at 7-7. Semi Kunatani broke the deadlock with a converted try for Fiji mid-way through the second half before Beaudine Waaka scored outwide after the siren. Waaka failed with his conversion attempt, sending Fiji to the top of Pool A.  

 

Backing up from their shock win over England, Canada continued to impress defeating Argentina 24-7, after racing to a 12-0 lead at the break through tries to John Moonlight and Liam Underwood. Underwood's second, a longe range individual effort, extended the lead to 17-0 before a Mike Fuailefau try three minutes from time put the result beyond doubt. Francisco Merello scored a late consolation for Los Pumas.

 

England secured their Cup quarterfinal berth defeating Kenya 21-14, after leading 14-0 at half time. Tries to Richard de Carpentier and Tom Mitchell provided the early breathing space before Oscar Ayodi hit back for the Africans early in the second half. Charlie Hayter responded for England extending the lead back out to 14 but Kenya ensured England played to the final whistle, Tony Opondo scoring late.

 

Australia maintained a clean slate in pool play after resoundly defeating Scotland 40-14. Four tries in the first half for a 26-0 lead had the Scots on the back foot.  A Greg Jeloudev try extended the lead to 33-0 before Scotland got on the board through James Fleming and a penalty try. Nick Malouf put the exclamation mark on the win.

 

Portugal warmed up for the Bowl quarterfinals with a 21-19 win over Japan, despite a hat-trick from Japan's Lomano Lemeki, taking his tally to five for the torunament.Bernado Cardoso and Jose Vareta scored early for Portugal before Lemeki crossed for a brace to reduce the margin to 14-12 at the break. A try two minutes into the second half from Aderito Esteves extended Portugal's lead before Lemeki's third pulled them back within two on the siren. 

 

Wales fought back from an early 7-0 deficit to lead 14-7 at half time after tries to Tom Williams and Aled Jenkins. Samoa regained the momentum in the second stanza with three tries in quick succession, including a double to Samoa Tolau to lead 26-14. A late try to Wales' Jevon Groves pegged the final margin back to seven.

 

Brazil took first half honours in a closely contested match, Lucas Domingues giving his side a 7-0 lead. France's experience told in the second half with Virimi Vakatawa scoring a double, Jean Marcellin Buttin and Renaud Delmas crossing as the French ran out eventual 26-7 winners.

USA 20-0 Canada

New Zealand 28-7 Australia

South Africa 21-14 England

Fiji 31-12 France

 

Argentina 15-12 Japan

Scotland 19-14 Wales

Kenya 17-7 Portugal

Samoa 26-7 Brazil

 

Brazil v Portugal

Wales v Japan

 

Samoa v Kenya

Scotland v Argentina

 

France v England

Australia v Canada

 

Fiji v South Africa

New Zealand v USA

 

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