Close Games and Lessons for USA Falcons in Fiji
Close Games and Lessons for USA Falcons in Fiji
The USA Falcons playing in Fiji have had a rough-and-tumble lesson in elite-level 7s this week.
The Coral Coast Sevens features teams from all over Fiji. And while Fiji is a country of under a million people, just imagine if you entered a Fijian basketball team into a 3-on-3 tournament in Columbus, Ohio (pop. 900,000) or Fort Worth, Teas (op. 960,000). In Fiji every village has a 7s team and every village 7s team has the very best of their national sport playing.
So these are unified, athletic, and highly skilled opposition. Still the Falcons have competed.
On Day One the Falcons were upended by Fire 22-5 in their opening game. Adam Channel scored the lone Falcons try. The next game, against the Ba Originals, Will Chevalier and Darell Williams scored for the Falcons; the Originals matched them with two tries and converted both to win 14-10. The third pool game was also competitive. Channel and Peter Sio scored tries but Dominion Brothers scored four to win 26-12.
So, 0-3 in pool play, but some good lessons and they've been getting some support.
The Falcons moved on to the Bowl Quarterfinals and took on an Ambassador All Stars that had lost close games (both 24-12) to New Zealand Development and Ravuka and had beaten Debo Babas 26-5.
In this game Williams scored two tries, Sio one, and Michael Hand also scored as the Falcons won 24-12.
So now they have their first win and are in the Bowl Semifinals, facing EMS Tabadamu. The EMS team went 0-3 in pool play like the Falcons, losing to McDonald's Saunaka 7s 14-0, Fiji Babaas 17-12, and SRS Tubarua Highlanders 24-19. So losses, but all close. They won their Bowl Quarterfinal 17-2 over BDK Yalovata.
Debo Babas rebounded from their loss to the Ambassador All-Stars to win their Bowl QF and will take on SRS Tubarua Highlanders in the semifinal. So, if they can stay healthy, the Falcons have a good shot at winning the Bowl.
Meanwhile, Fire, plays McDonald's Suanaka 7s in one Cup Semifinal and NZ Development plays Fiji Babaas in the other semi.
"It's the toughest conditions, it's the best competition, and for our USA boys it's been a tough test but it's been some really good learnings," Head Coach Zack Test to interviewer and former World Series referee Rasta Rasivhenge. Test added that the team needed to tighten up their play and be more disciplined.
