The USA High School All Americans 

In the opener the HSAA team took on the defending World School 7s Champions the New Zealand Condors.

HSAA vs NZ Condors

The Condors struck first but it was very slow going as the Americans made some key try-saving tackles—Lucas Lacamp and Peyton Wall logging some impressive defensive efforts.

But finally the HSAA team was stretched too far and the Condors were in.

The All Americans replied with a well-taken effort that put Lacamp through for a try and a 7-7 halftime score.

But the Condors exploited some HSAA mistakes in the second half and scored two tries to win it 19-7.

Problems for the HSAA team included a lot of passes that left the catcher a bit flat-footed. They tackled well, but struggled to challenge the Condors defense when they had the ball.

In addition, they lost too much ruck ball, with the Condors poaching successfully or forcing a holding-on penalty.

HSAA 7 NZ Condors 19
Tries: Angilau
Convs: Barry

HSAA vs Rugby Academy Fiji

The All Americans addressed some of their issues in the second game. Passes were leading the catchers this time, and they defended well also. After a break down the sideline, captain Tohi Angilau rumbled his way through three tacklers to soar over. A\Aidan Barry slotted the conversion.

Fiji replied with a nicely-taken try, but in the second half the HSAA defense was excellent.

Barry, who directed the attack impressively all day, made some key defensive plays and was quick over the ball. So was Angilau. And eventually Barry broke his way down the right side and fed Wall for the try.

With Fiji threatening and time up, the HSAA team forced a knock-on and got a scrum. Barry ram his way to the sideline and kicked to touch to end the game.

The key to this game was ball presentation. The American players started stretching out with the Superman ball placement, giving their teamates more chances to retain ruck ball, and preventing a quick poach from the opposition.

HSAA 12 Rugby Academy Fiji 7
Tries: Angilau, Wall
Convs: Barry

HSAA vs Australia Indigenous 7s

With a chance to go 2-1 the HSAA team got a dream start. Lacamp went under the perfect kickoff from Koby Baker, came down with the ball and was gone in under the posts.

The next restart ended up with HSAA player Angus Kelly sin-binned for hitting the Aussie Indigenous player in the air. The HSAAs held firm on defense and forced a knock-on, and from a scrum Barry started the attack to the right, and then looped around the replace the missing player and finish in the corner. 

The Americans added another with a good sequence that ended with Angilau charging over.

That made it 19-0. The Americans came close to scoring in the second half with Donovan Law thinking he was through on a quick tap, but the play was called back. 

Finally, after some broke play, the All Americans ran it down the tramlines on the right and Baker was over in traffic.

And one more for the HSAA team as Noah Brown ripped the ball out of the ruck and was gone for 50 meters. That ended it, 31-0. 

HSAA 31 Australia Indigenous 0
Tries: Lacamp, Barry, Angilau, Baker, Brown
Convs: Barry 3

 

The overall day was a triumph for the HS All Americans. Not expected to do this well by a long stretch, they played really entertaining rugby, with an American touch of physicality and power. They did well in the restarts and, after the first game, in retaining ball at the breakdown.

The HSAA team now is into the Cup Quarterfinals, we think against the New Zealand Fijians.

"This is a tournament we want to make an impact at every year," said Head Coach JD Stephenson. "I told the guys they should be the most-prepared team here. Most of the teams haven't gotten together until a couple of weeks ago. We're here with the World Series performance analyst and the Strength & Conditioning coach from Chula Vista. We are coming to perform well and next year with the girls team we'll do that with them as well."