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Day One Sizzles at NAI 7s

irish rugby tours

Day One Sizzles at NAI 7s

Belmont Shore with a nose for the tryline. Alex Goff photo.

Day One is done at the NAI 7s and we have a lot of videos on our social media platforms for you to see.

Here's a quick rundown.

Boys U18 Elite

Led by some power running from Cormac Saint and with Arno Agassi being very opportunistic, Rebel Rugby Academy is 3-0 in Boys U18 Elite.

Rhino won their pool despite having a bit of a surprise tie with Kahuku. The Hawaiian Kuhuku team ended up with two ties on the day. Gorilla's team play was very good and with Berks battling their composure a little bit and the heat somewhat also, it was Gorilla that finished the stronger and waltzed through the final game to end up 3-0.

After some shaky moments Atlantis Teal finally got back to what they do—win the restart battle and score off pressure defense—to finish 2-1.

Boys U18 Open

Skill from USA South and Belmont Shore saw them 3-0. Those performances were impressive but not a surprise. Rebel went 2-0-1. But perhaps the surprise was San Mateo. A team that hasn't commonly gone to these kinds of tournaments, the Wolverines played superbly together, showcased impressive sidesteps without getting too caught up in it, and were brilliant on defense. They went 3-0 and looked in control doing it.

Owyhee also won their pool, going 2-1.

Girls U18

Several teams dominated. Badger Rugby Academy played together well; Sac Pal Amazons were physical and unstoppable; the Majestics were fast and skilled; Pasefika of Hawaii downed some really good teams to win their pool and edge a good Pioneer 7s team; The Rugby Advantage allowed just one try in three games; and Rhinos allowed just one try and scored —get this, 118 points.

Girls U16s

It's Belmont Shore, Rhino, and Atlantis. The Atlantis U16 girls control possession and were very smart. Belmont Shore fend off tacklers better than anyone.

Boys U16s

The usual suspects won and the team to watch may well be the USA South Panthers, who defended pretty well and, even against teams that seemed to be bigger or faster, found s way.

Belmont Shore's U14 team from a few years ago is now in U16s and playing really good rugby. They run with purpose, make tacklers miss, and work nicely together.

Boys and Girls U14s

The Rhinos girls U14s are very businesslike. They have pace, physicality, and don't get rattled, but they were upended by Majestics. Sac Pal Amazons dominated, scoring 98 points in three games and allowing one try. They are powerful and work well together.

Broncos has emerged as a strong contender among the boys. Belmont Shore and Rhinos have been excellent, but Broncos are right there with them. 

In Tier II we saw a number of teams trying this bracket (Woodlands, Red Mountain). The exposure to this tournament is hugely valuable.

U23s

Rhinos is untouchable in the men's bracket. Utah Lions is in excellent position among the women to win.

Videos!

USA South U16s

San Mateo U18 Boys

Rhinos U18 Boys Dissatisfied

Berks County Boys Dissatisfied Also

3-0 is Good for Rebel Rugby

USA West U14 Girls