For the fourth time in six tournaments, the Eagles are playing for the Shield. The USA conceded a converted try at the death to lose 14-12 to France in the Wellington Bowl Quarterfinals.
The contest started with both teams content to kick for territory, and both teams swapping penalties and turnovers for the first four minutes.
Then great kick to touch from Madison Hughes following a French penalty got the Eagles on the right side of the field, and another French penalty saw Danny Barrett toe through the ball, take on two tacklers and spin past them for the opening try. Hughes slotted the conversion to put the USA up 7-0.
The French struck right back after the Eagles committed a flurry of penalties. The Eagles couldn’t retreat quickly enough and hold their pattern, and Steeve Barry crossed for the score. Converted, France tied the game at 7-7.
Barrett’s second score was the best of his young international 7s career. Again off a penalty, this time deep in the American end, he went straight at the French defense. He then stiff armed one would-be tackler, stepped just over the other’s reach and trucked about 80 meters to extend the lead to 12-7 going into halftime.
Pono Haitsuka’s kick to restart the second half didn’t go 10 meters, giving France a free kick at midfield. France was moving the ball well, but Barrett delivered again with a big tackle on the wing, ending the threat and turning the ball over. Hobbled, Barrett subbed off for a fresh Andrew Durutalo.
The Eagles kept conceding penalties, but inspired defense also kept stymieing France’s efforts to capitalize.
With just seconds left in the game and the lead, the Eagles found themselves with a lineout in their own end, and the referee prevented them from entering the lineout in the delayed fashion they prefer. The Eagles then lost that lineout, and France scored the tying try shortly thereafter. Pual Albaladejo’s conversion kick with time expired saw the French advance to the Bowl Semifinals.
Of the Americans, Madison Hughes was the most electric, while Isles was controlled somewhat. But all of the players seemed to have little idea of what to do come ruck time. They were pinged repeatedly for being offside and diving over, while prime poaching opportunities were passed up because the USA players seemed unsure if they were legal or not.
USA 12
Tries: Barrett 2
Convs: Hughes
France 14
Tries: Barry, Candelon
Convs: Barry, Albaladejo
The Eagles will play Portugal in the Shield Semifinals at 10:32pm ET.