The USA men's 7s team has clinched a spot in the top eight in the Sydney 7s with two dominating performances in the first two games Saturday.

In the opening match for the Eagles, they torched Wales 42-0. In the game, the USA showed all of the aggressive running and smooth passing that they didn't show in Wellington, taking apart a Wales side that's not exactly bad.

Folau Niua, looking spry and in good shape, sold an outrageous dummy to get the first try. Carlin Isles was given the kind of space he didn't get last week to run in the second. Perry Baker scored a lovely try set up by some excellent work from Ben Pinkelman - a good team try - and then Thretton Palamo broke a tackle, thought about passing, and then decided he could just go it alone.

Pinkelman and then Baker then added tries in the rout.

The USA attack was characterized by some very nice passing, but the guy who really made them go was Martin Iosefo, who produced those midfield breaks they weren't getting last week. The passing to the speedsters was also better timed.

This all showed in the second game, where Baker started and scored a try after he was downed but not held, and showed the presence of minds to get up and keep running. Iosefo then picked up a loose ball and went in under the posts. Japan scored off some good team play, but Baker was put away from long range - a perfect pass from Iosefo being the catalyst, to make it 19-5 at halftime.

Baker then picked up a loose ball to score his third to open the second half before giving way to Carlin isles. And Isles wasted little time, taking a run up the wing, recycling the ball, and then getting the return pass to blaze through a gap up the middle.

The USA kind of relaxed after that and Japan scored two tries, but the damage was done.

So next up England in a game of two 2-0 teams. But win or lose, the Eagles are back in the Cup Quarterfinals.