The USA ended the Tokyo 7s with a loss in the Plate Final, earning 12 points in the standings and giving themselves a boost of confidence and some breathing room over the teams battling against relegation.
Australia beat the USA 17-12 in the Plate Final, using a smart field position game to get the job done.
The United States started on the back foot, with Australia scoring the opening try. The Eagles had possession first, but were blown off the ball, and Greg Jeloudev had plenty of space to scurry for a try. The conversion attempt was missed – 5-0.
The Eagles took the lead after a overthrow on an Australian lineout landed in a charging Danny Barrett’s hands. He thrust one attempted tackle away and ran in for the score. Madison Hughes converted, pulling the Eagles up 7-5.
The United States spent the last minute of the first half inside the attacking 22, but the threat was ended with a penalty.
Australia opened the ledger in the second half, with Nick Malouf offloading to Tom Lucas following a midfield penalty. The touchline conversion was made, putting the Wallabies up 12-7.
A forward pass meters short of the try line was all that separated Australia from expanding on its lead, but the Wallabies got the ball back, and Con Foley went into a tackle about five meters out, released the ball, got back to his feet and finished off the scoring effort. The conversion attempt was missed, making it 17-7.
Some nice play from youngsters Pono Haitsuka and Mike Te’o put the Eagles back in the attacking end, and Zack Test juggled the pass with a tackler around his neck, caught the ball, and just made it to the line. The conversion attempt was missed, but it wouldn’t have closed the gap anyway as the final hooter had gone.
The Plate runner-up finish sees the Eagles leapfrog Portugal and in 13th in the World Series standings.
USA 12
Tries: Barrett, Test
Cons: Hughes
Australia 17
Tries: Lucas, Jeloudev, Foley
Cons: Clark