France Beat USA, But QFs Beckon Anyway

The USA lost their first game of the Tokyo 7s, dropping a disappointing 22-12 decision to France.

After beating Samoa and tying Fiji, the USA did not defend particularly well and had all sorts of trouble controlling the kickoffs. France dominated the restart battle, and as a result had many more attacking opportunities.

The USA gave up thier first try because Zack Test's support was slow to the ruck, and the Eagle star had to hold onto the ball. Quick tap and Julien Saubade was in at the corner.

From the restart the USA won the ball and sent it quickly out to Test, who cut back through the French defense, fended off his chaser, and scored a brilliant try. But France controlled the next kick and exposed the USA for soft tackle - they didn't miss their tackles, but took too long to finish them - and Julien Candelon was in at the corner.

The half ended with Julien Jane kicking through for a potential try, but his kick was just a little long.

At halftime, USA Head Coach Matt Hawkins admonished his players for being a little soft, and lacking intensity. But France still struck first. After a break by Virimi Vakatawa, Test was called harshly for hands in the ruck (he was simply picking up the ball and had come through the gate. A series of passes later Jane was in at the corner. The conversiob was good and France led 17-5.

The Eagles then constructed their best sequence, with Brett Thompson and Andrew Durutalo both figuring heavily. Durutalo survived an iffy pass to no one, and made up for it with a perfect swithc pass to Thompson, who went in under the posts to make it 17-12.

Near the end of time, the USA was back deep in the French 22. But they stopped passing, and white line fever caught captain Nick Edwards, who, when caught, had no one to pass to and the loose ball ended up in the hands of Terry Bouhraoua, and he raced 80 meters to put the game away.

For the Eagles, it meant they would have to wait for the result between Fiji and Samoa to see if they could make the Cup Quarterfinals. But more importantly, it was a game where their tackling and their ability to win restarts failed them at crucial moments.

Ultimately, though, it is good news for the USA. Fiji beat Samoa convincingly, putting the Fijians at 2-0-1 atop Pool C, and the USA, at 1-1-1, in second. That means the Eagles will earn at least 10 points in the standings, while Portugal (ranked just ahead of the USA in the standings), and Spain (just behind) will likely earn several points fewer.

USA 12
Tries: Test, Thompson
Convs: Hughes

France 22
Tries: Saubade, Jane, Candelon, Bouhraoua
Convs: Bouhraoua