USA U18 Boys 1-1 on Day One in Global Youth Sevens
USA U18 Boys 1-1 on Day One in Global Youth Sevens
A win and some tension punctuated the USA U18 Boys Day One at the Global Youth 7s.
The Americans won their first game comfortably despite not kicking a single conversion, and ended the second game opting not to take a conversion, hoping for a comeback.
Game 1
The USA opened their account against the Queensland Indigenous team. A strong run from Spencer Huntley put them on the front foot and that set up a try for Jacob Martin. The USA team then failed to kick the restart 10 meters, however, when the Indigenous team didn’t kick the free kick through the mark, they got a scrum at midfield. With a second chance they attacked nicely, putting Detroit product Raylon Murray through for a powerful fend and run.
Huntley links nicely with Murray and Emasi Rabukawaqa to set up Martin for the Lindenwood player’s second (still no conversions).
To begin the second half the USA kept at it, sent Fatman Thorndyke down the sideline twice and finally Rabukawaqa finished it off. Too many penalties from the Queenslanders and they had to backpedal after a tap and a Murray chase led to Kingston Hawkins over. Defensive pressure forced a knock-on and a scrum, and from there a smart pass from Hawkins (son of USA 15s and 7s player Matt) put Reese Reiter, one of three Cathedral Catholic players on the team, through for the try.
That closed it out and the USA had a 30-0 win—six tries and no conversions.
Game 2
This game saw the USA have generally the run of play but not the run of tries. Twice early on the Aotearoa Maori had a penalty deep in their own half and tapped quickly before chipping the ball overhead. Both times their speed and vision allowed them to retain the ball and score.
Despite a little bit of sloppy play, the USA exerted some constant pressure. It took a long time to finally work their way close but finally Martin picked up off the back of the ruck and was in for a try in the corner. Somehow Huntley converted the try from the sideline and it was 7-7. But the chip-and-chase thing worked a treat again for the Maori, making it 14-7 at halftime. The USA team had to be shaking their heads at lost chances.
In the second half the USA tried the chip-and-chase thing and it didn’t quite come off. The Maori got the ball, went wide, and were gone. Then the USA tried the chip-and-chase thing and it didn’t quite come off. The Maori got the ball, went wide, and were gone. That made it 19-7. Right off the restart the Maori took the ball on the fly and caught the USA out of position and scored in the corner. Now it was 24-7.
Now time was winding down. The USA struggled to break through as the Maori tackling was really on-point. Not using any flashy moves, but instead just passing sideline to sideline, the USA team needed someone to miss a tackle. Finally they worked their way closer before they sent it wide and Rabukawaqa was in. That made it 24-12. There was about a minute to go, and off the restart the Maori were penalized and yellow-carded for a high tackle. Huntley crashed through and made it 24-17.
Now the crucial decision from the USA. They opted not to take the conversion because they needed time for the restart and score again. It was a smart move, but the Americans could not keep the ball and the Maori closed it out.
So a 1-1 day and a challenge ahead. The USA’s final game will be against New Zealand team Northland, and they went 2-0 on Day One. The top two teams in the pool make the Cup Round of 16, so a win is what the USA needs. Also 1-1 is Aotearoa Maori and they play the 0-2 Queensland Indigenous team. So the USA will not be able to depend on anyone but themselves.
If they do not make the top two in the pool, the USA would be playing for 17th, the Bowl.
