The USA 7s team finished 3rd in the London 7s Sunday, wrapping up a really strong finish to what had been a rough run of tournaments.

It was a weird tournament once again at Twickenham, mirroring somewhat how last year came about, where the Eagles had some really rocky performances in Glasgow and then turned around to win in London.

With the 3rd-place finish, the USA finished 6th in the World Series, with 117 points. That was just two points behind Argentina. Despite the mild disappointment at dropping from 5th last week, this is still the best the USA has ever done in the World Series.

After getting publicly called out by Coach Mike Friday for their shoddy tackling and poor execution last week, the Eagles started well enough, winning a relatively ugly game 12-5 over the Paris 7s winners Samoa. That game gave life to the USA’s chances of making the quarterfinals, but the game that really seemed to turn things around was the next game - a loss.

The Eagles fell behind 14-0 to South Africa and Friday let them have it at halftime, making it plain he wasn’t happy with the unity of purpose, the defensive wall, thought and deed. He wanted better, and he wanted them to start watching their pass (sort of a cousin of “follow your pass” - see what else there is to do), and to get on their horses when a player takes a gap.

In the second half, the Eagles scored two tries to make a game of it at 14-10. That second half would prove crucial, because the USA then tied Canada 12-12 in the final game of the day, leaving both North American teams at 1-1-1. It could have been much worse, as Canada has a conversion to kick with a minute left to take the lead, but missed. So it was down to points different, and the USA won that, moving on to the quarterfinals.

So it was an improvement, and better news. The defense was much improved, with only five tries conceded, but the offense, with only six tries scored, wasn’t making headlines. Who thought they would do a great deal on Day Two?

Few - and fewer still thought they would double their tournament try haul in one game, and against New Zealand at that.

The quarterfinal against the All Blacks 7s was, as Friday put it later, an example of what the team can do when it plays to its potential. The planned moves were there, and the support was there. The idea that you run straight before offloading to Perry Baker, and give him some room to make a move, all was there. Madison Hughes made several brilliant plays on his way to a try and helping set up four for #11 Baker. Ben Pinkelman also stretched over for one, and Hughes was perfect on his conversions, even from the touchline.

It was the Eagles passing, looping, playing with energy, and defending well, too.

So that set up the semifinal with one of the USA’s betes noire, Scotland. For some reason, the Americans tend to lose their composure at critical times against the Scots, and it happened again. 

For ten minutes, said Friday later, his team played as well as they did against New Zealand. For two minutes in each half, they started to give up turnovers and gift-wrap tries for the Scots. Those four minutes of futility were enough, as Scotland won 24-17. The first two minutes gave a try to the Scots, and then Danny Barrett, Zack Test, and Thretton Palamo put the USA in the driver’s seat at 17-7. But the end of the game was all Scotland, and three tries later the Scots were in the final, where they would come back again to win the whole tournament.

Meanwhile, the Eagles had a game to play, also. They had to take on Fiji. And despite knowing 3rd or 4th perhaps didn’t matter all that much, they put in a very good performance. Once again the Eagles ran out to a lead, and of course Fiji came back, as you knew they would. But the final say would go to the captain, as Hughes finished off a very good tournament where he was unlucky not to make the dream team, with the game-winner 26-19.

Fans can now, perhaps, breathe a sight of relief, as the USA team we saw in London last year, and in various tournaments throughout this season, seems to be back. If they play in Rio the way they did in London on Sunday, they are legitimate medal contenders. Baker was astounding, especially when he needed to be. Hughes was probably even better. Martin Iosefo is as good as anyone on the circuit in the midfield, and when Danny Barrett is at his best, few want to tangle with him.

 

Tournament Notes: Scotland won. Baker made the Dream Team and was second in tries with eight. 

 

London 7s USA Results:

Saturday Pool Play

USA 12 Samoa 5

Tries: Baker, Hughes

Convs: Hughes

 

USA 10 South Africa 14

Tries: Augspurger, Leatigaga

 

USA 12 Canada 12

Tries: Baker 2

Convs: Hughes

 

 

Sunday Knockout Rounds

Cup QFs

USA 42 New Zealand 14

Tries: Baker 4, Hughes, Pinkelman

Convs: Hughes 6

 

Cup SFs

USA 17 Scotland 24

Tries: Test, Barrett, Palamo

Convs: Hughes

 

3rd/4th Game

USA 26 Fiji 19

Tries: Iosefo, Pinkelman, Baker, Hughes

Convs: Hughes 3