GOLD COAST, Australia – The USA Men’s 7s team won the Bowl at Cbus Super Stadium Sunday, running the table on the second day with victories over Japan, Portugal, and France.

The USA was led by Zack Test, who scored seven tries on the weekend and made the all-tournament team. Test crossed the 100 career tries threshold on Saturday.

Test got the USA started in the Bowl Final against the French. The Eagles attacked from a lineout and Test burst through a gap and then around the perimeter to score out wide.

With World Series newcomer Perry Baker having scored three tries in the Bowl Semifinal, the French were worried about the former Daytona and current Tiger Rugby star, and Test used Baker to draw attention away.

Among the players who improved over the tournament was Garrett Bender, the former Minnesota HS player, who found that he was most useful engaging multiple emenders and creating space for others. This time, the space opened for him, as he steamrolled his way through for another USA try.

Not long after the restart, the first-half horn sounded to signal the break, but the Eagles were awarded a lineout. It only took a few extra seconds of the referee’s time to get the ball to the wing and in the hands of Baker, who rounded the corner for his fifth try of the tournament. Hughes’ conversion gave the Eagles a 17-0 lead at the half.

In previous years, the Eagles struggled to close out matches on the IRB HSBC Sevens World Series circuit. Sunday, they almost let France steal the match with a few defensive lapses.

Vakatawa drew another two defenders with a run down the wing in the eighth minute, and he was able to stay upright with the ball long enough to offload to Terry Bouhraoua for France’s first try.

The Eagles began losing the ball to unforced errors, including a pass over the head of Baker in space in the ninth minute. After the ball went into touch, Baker kicked it to keep it away from a quick France throw and earned himself a two-minute session in the sin bin.

With the man-advantage, Vakatawa tested the Eagles out wide again and eluded a tackle from Test to dove over in the corner.

It was Test’s turn to misplace a pass after the Eagles regained possession, and Vakatawa again proved instrumental in France’s attack in making space for Stephen Parez for a third try. All three of France’s second-half tries were unconverted, however, keeping the Eagles in the lead, 17-15.

Against the run of play, Test willed his team to the finish line with an individual try in the 13th minute. The Eagles all-time try-scoring leader fended the first defender and saw enough space to make a run for the try zone. Hughes converted to pad the lead to 24-15.

Not wanting to let France back in the match, Mike Friday’s Eagles secured the restart and were rewarded with a final try from Danny Barrett. The final score stood at 31-15 following Hughes’ successful conversion.

Bowl Final
USA 31 
Tries: Test (2), Baker, Bender, Barrett 
Convs: Hughes (3)

France 15 
Tries: Bouhraoua, Vakatawa, Parez

In getting to the Bowl Final the USA was impressive. Baker scored three tries against Portugal in a tough, physical Bowl semi. Baker was given just a piece of space and just cruised away from the Portuguese defense. Then some nice teamwork set it up for Test on the wing. He had three guys to beat, and so sidestepped long enough to get two defenders to converge on him. Test then popped to Andrew Durutalo, who took the third defender over the line.

With time up in the first half, Portugal tried for one more attack, but they turned the ball over - Bender active in the breakdown - and soon Baker was gone and the USA led 19-0.

Right from the restart, Hughes danced his way through the Portugal line and looked to go all the way. But finally the cover closed in and Hughes popped a pass to Baker streaking in from the wing to an inside line. The ball bounced off Baker’s chest but he held his concentration and scored.

The fight and final try came from Carlin Isles, and it was a classic Isles try, with little on, but that little was enough for the speedster. However, it’s interesting to see how Baker has claimed the starting spot on the wing.

USA 33
Tries: Baker 3, Durutalo, Isles
Convs: Hughes 4

The USA made that semi by winning the Bowl Quarterfinal in emphatic fashion, 26-5 over new core team Japan.

With Danny Barrett starting in his first game back from suspension, the Eagles looked confident in possession early in the match. Andrew Durutalo showed off his footwork and speed with a grubber at midfield in the first minute. A phase and quick tap later, Garrett Bender fed Folau Niua for the opening try. Niua faked the pass to the outside to beat two defenders and give the Eagles a 7-0 lead.

Niua turned provider immediately after the restart, giving Zack Test the opportunity to score his fifth try of the tournament. Test made his run and gave Niua his only option before he broke through the defensive line. Madison Hughes kicked his second successful conversion for a 14-0 lead.

Moments after making an influential tackle on one wing, Perry Baker received the ball near the other. One sidestep was all he needed to find his stride and beat everyone to the try zone. Baker dotted down between the sticks for an easy Hughes conversion and 21-0 lead.

Like their previous matches, the Eagles let up their concentration as the half came to a close and allowed Japan to attack in their half for the first time in the opening seven minutes. Head Coach Mike Friday let his team know their mistake during the break.

Carlin Isles replaced Baker early in the second frame and utilized his speed in the 11th minute to chase after Hughes’ clearance kick. Though, Japan recovered the ball, Isles was on the forefront of the Eagles’ defensive pressure during their opposition’s time on the ball.

Isles was rewarded for his defensive work moments later with a try that saw the speedster step around at least three defenders at midfield on his way in-goal.

Up 26-0, the Eagles spent the remainder of the half without the ball and eventually conceded a try in the corner through Kentaro Kodama.

USA 26
Tries: Niua, Test, Baker, Isles
Conversions: Hughes (3)

Japan 5
Tries: Kodama