Hosts victorious at HSBC USA Sevens

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Hosts victorious at HSBC USA Sevens

The United States team has finally won their home sevens tournament, to end the Las Vegas 7s in style. Capping off an unbeaten run, which saw the hosts victorious at the HSBC USA Sevens.

It was their second ever HSBC Sevens Series win, since London 2015. It was a fitting end, as the US Eagles overcame Argentina in the final, 28-0.

South Africa continues to head the series though, with New Zealand in second and Fiji in third. The series now moves north, to Canada this weekend, for the Vancouver 7s leg.

HSBC USA Sevens: The LOWDOWN

Perry Baker was on song all weekend, scoring some breathtaking tries from pretty much everywhere. The ‘speedstick’ scored the US teams first try in the final. Danny Barrett picked up two more, and Carlin Isles the fourth try, to humble the high achieving Los Pumas.

The Eagles peaked wonderfully, to be victorious at the HSBC USA Sevens. They beat all comers, holding the challengers from Pool rivals Samoa and Australia, followed by England and a magical win over Fiji (see below image). And then victory over Argentina to set the ‘house on Fire’ at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Perry Baker (C) of the United States runs with the ball against Fiji during the HSBC USA Sevens at Sam Boyd Stadium. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for HSBC)

“Absolutely incredible. Singing that national anthem with everyone was such a moving moment. Then to be able to come out and perform the way we did, stick to our plan, it’s surreal.

“We knew this was our moment and we were going to go after it.”

“We’ve been working so hard for so long and we have so much talent on our team, that we knew we should be in places like this. I think we put the expectations on ourselves and we all pushed ourselves to get here,” Ben Pinkelman said to worldrugby.org, in a video poster on Twitter.

The 28-0 final score didn’t represent the Argentinean teams efforts, who were outstanding all weekend. Argentina first overcame New Zealand in Pool play, and then magnificently defeated South Africa in the semifinals, to round off a good outing. That was their second cup final appearance of the series, following from Cape Town Sevens, and nearly equalled the Pumas 2009 Las Vegas title.

Look for more from Los Pumas in 2017/18.

Fiji settles for Bronze

Hamilton Sevens champs Fiji, had to settle for bronze in Las Vegas. Fiji overcame a new look, and spirited Blitzboks side (after being bowled out of the final) 26-22, in the bronze playoff.

HSBC USA Sevens results:

New Zealand held out Australia for fifth spot, with Kenya and England rounding out the top 8 finishers. It hardly changes the standings, but the US Eagles ‘fly up the table’ after securing 20 valuable points.

France found some glory, winning the Challenge Trophy with six men. Defeating Canada, the French played above themselves.

Samoa may feel the least satisfied team, who had to be settled with 13th spot, behind Scotland and Wales.

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HSBC USA Sevens: Player/Team Accolades

Player of the Final

Danny Barrett was the worthy recipient, with Perry Baker and captain Ben Pinkelman coming close, alongside Los Pumas hero Matias Osadczuk.

DHL Impact Player

HSBC USA Sevens ‘Dream Team’

Las Vegas – the Verdict

Five tournaments/five winners, this trend will continue. It’s good for the game, so it’s time for England, Samoa, Kenya and Argentina to step-up. On the other hand, the hosts Canada or France might surprise us all at the BC Place Stadium.

Hey, and don’t count out Scotland. Getting primed for the Commonwealth Games, John Dalziel just has to balance aggression with industrious play. Good luck to all teams at the HSBC Canada Sevens next week.

Vancouver 7s – Pools drawn

 

“Main photo credit”
Embed from Getty Images

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