So the results from Day 1 of the HSBC Sevens World Series are in from Las Vegas, Nevada. Thus far in America's history (in regards to rugby), today is among the most important. Being nationally televised on NBC is giving rugby in a tone of exposure. Rugby needs to be televised more often!
Game 1 was pretty tough for America, as South Africa really let loose on us in the first half. But it was great to see USA come out strong in the beginning of the second half and at least get on the scoreboard once. They almost scored once more at the end of the game (which would of been a great way to finish the match and head into Game 2) but the NFL convert Miles Craigwell, dropped a nice pass only yards away from the try zone. Hopefully Game 2 looks better for the hometown team!
Day 1 Results
ENGLAND 49 - GUYANA 0
ARGENTINA 21 - FRANCE 19
NEW ZEALAND 40 - URUGUAY 0
WALES 12 - KENYA 19
FIJI 33 - CANADA 0
AUSTRALIA 12 - SCOTLAND 7
SAMOA 31 - JAPAN 7
SOUTH AFRICA 27 - USA 5
GAME 2
USA vs Samoa
USA changed up their starting lineup a little bit in hopes to possibly catch Samoa off guard, or possibly because of an injury... or maybe, simply because they came out too flat in the first game. I'm not too sure why but hopefully they can take this one home!
Samoa won their first game but half way through the first half, this game looks pretty even. Until around 2min when Samoa was able to break the line and basically set up a try for a fellow teammate. With the conversation good, the score was 7 to 0 until Matt Hawkins had a nice, tough run down the sideline to score a try for America and make the halftime score 7-5.
2nd Half
Aiono started the second half showing us(a) his running skills as he out sprinted the American team and helped increase Samoa's lead to 14-5 after a good conversation. But some great passing would lead to a try from Marco Barnard, and with a good conversation the score was 12 to 14. Samoa quickly responded with a try of their own making the score 12 to 21. And with less than a minute to go, literally running out of his shoes, a professional rugby player/school teacher from Samoa, put the icing on the cake. The final score was 28 to 12.
FINAL SCORE
Samoa 28 - USA 12
After actually watching our seven's team and without sounding as if I'm continuing to hate on Miles, I can only say I wish USA would put more experienced ruggers on the field. I've been playing rugby since 2005 and I honestly feel like I have a long way to go in terms of learning the game... so I can imagine how it must be with players that are literally just playing rugby for the first time this year.
GAME 2
ENGLAND 33 -7 FRANCE
ARGENTINA 47 - 0 GUYANA
NEW ZEALAND 25 -10 KENYA
...WALES 31 -10 URUGUAY
SAMOA 28 -12 UNITED STATES
SOUTH AFRICA 35 - 0 JAPAN
Hopefully Day 2 is better!
