The new format for the Hamilton 7s may have rankled some, OK, pretty much everybody, but the USA Women's 7s team can really only blame themselves for not making the top four.

The Eagles were very strong in Hamilton, holding off a determined Russia, and absorbing an early Brazil try to put them in a position to win their pool. They found another tenacious runner in Steph Rovetti and saw Kris Thomas put in some brilliant work. 

But then the mistakes crept in. Against Australia, Thomas and Naya Tapper both halted promising attacks with unforced drops. Regardless, the Americans led Australia 14-12 before Ellia Green cut through for the go-ahead try.

Still the Eagles had a chance. Australia's restart was out on the full, but from that ensuing free kick, Nicole Heavirland produced a head-scratcher of a chip over the top, which Australia controlled and kicked dead to end the game 19-14. All the USA had to do was keep the ball to score the winner, so the kick was an odd choice.

Those three errors cost the USA a spot in the semis (no quarterfinals this time as World Rugby is trying to shorten the tournaments to accommodate the men and women in the same venue). Instead they played England for 5th, and crushed the old rivals 45-5. 

Against England the Americans were more physical and were better in poaching the ball. That led to early tries from Ilona Maher and Kristi Kirshe, and then Maher's play help set up Kirshe for another excellent run, and a high tackle on Kirshe led to Maher charging down the sideline for her second and a 26-0 halftime lead.

In the second half, Alev Kelter scored (of course), and Tapper and Kayla Cannett capped it off. When the Eagles don't make mistakes, they are the ost physical team, and the most well-rounded, on the circuit. They could have won it all, but will have to settle for 5th, and with Canada's run to the final will drop to 4th in the World Series standings.

They are better than that, but can't concentrate their mistakes in games against key opponents.