The USA and France tied 21-21 in the opening game for both teams in the Wellington 7s.

The Eagles can points to a couple of key missed tackles, and two restarts that didn't go ten meters for their inability to win the game, but they also got some special plays that brought them back into it.

A nice take on the opening kickoff got captain Madison Hughes moving forward, and the Eagles then recycled quickly to Perry Baker, who turned the corner and seemed ready to pull away for a try. But he was hailed in in impressive fashion, and knocked on, giving France something of a reprieve. But all France could do was kick free and pretty soon the USA was back on the front foot. From an attacking lineout they sent Andrew Durutalo almost to the line, recycled thanks to some excellent work from Folau Niua, and Martin Iosefo put a move on and scored for a 7-0 lead.

France replied quickly. Taking the restart they won the ball and after stretching the USA defense a bit ran a switch move that got around Stephen Tomasin and in under the posts. The next restart was lost forward by Danny Barrett and the French were over again and suddenly it was 14-7 France. Then, after a couple of probing runs, the Eagles were still inside their half when Barrett fumbled a low pass and the ball was kicked ahead for another France try.

A mistake-riddled first half, and France was ahead 21-7.

In the second half, the Eagles started the period by having their kickoff not go ten meters. France attacked from there, but were stopped close to the USA line. From there, the Eagles got the ball out to Baker, who pulled off what will be one of the tries of the Series, using his stepping and speed to get around four defenders and go 95 meters. It was a brilliant score, and with Hughes hitting the conversion, the Americans were within a try at 21-14. It seemed like it would be tied up right after. Even though they failed to kick ten meters again, the Americans got the ball back and sent Hughes wide left. The captain almost made it to the line but was grabbed by his shirt. He stretched to the line, but Hughes is not the tallest of men and was just a couple of inches short. No try, and a scrum to France instead. However, once again the Americans got a shot, and Iosefo proded up the middle before lofting a pass to Baker for the wing to stride over the line.

However, since he was still off to the side, Baker managed to pop a pass, while in France's in-goal, to Durutalo, who then dove even closer to the center. That made the conversion easier for Hughes, and Hughes put it over to tie the game at 21-21.

There was still time, and only a try-saving tackle from Niua kept it deadlocked. The game ended with the USA trying to get out of their 22 and knocking the ball on in-goal. It was scary stuff, but they escaped with two points.

USA 21

Tries: Iosefo, Baker, Durutalo

Convs: Hughes

France 21

Tries: Candelon 2, Perez

Convs: Bouhraoua 3