The USA defeated Wales 19-12 in a relatively sloppy opening game at the USA 7s in Las Vegas, but the win was enough to put the Eagles in good shape to progress from their pool.

The game started off relatively well for the Americans. Some nice defense kept Wales in check and quick work at the breakdown from Zack Test forced a penalty. From there the Americans moved the ball through a couple of phases, and that produced a big hole through which Martin Iosefo galloped for the first try.

But Wales replied almost immediately, as Jordan Williams showed an unexpected turn of pace to outstrip the grasp of Garrett Bender and Folau Niua and go virtually coast-to-coast. 7-7.

The USA still is struggling to free up the speedsters on the wing, so instead of passing, they opted for the kick downfield. Folau Niua provided the kick, and Carlin Isles caught and beat the Welsh defender, gathered the ball on the hop, and rolled over for a superb try.

But Isles had another attacking chance lost as the ball was snatched out of his hands. With time up in the first half, the Eagles tried to make something happen, but Isles saw the ball taken from his hands. The wing recovered to prevent a try, but Wales recycled and scored. Test tried to ruck over but was grabbed by a Welsh player who was offside, and there was no call - 12-12 at halftime.

Head Coach Mike Friday urged his players to show a clear release in the tackle in order to force Wales to be penalized for holding on or in from the side. For a while it seemed it was the USA team that would be giving away penalties. Other little mistakes crept into the game, but eventually the USA players started to move the ball a little more smoothly. Niua and Danny Barrett worked a nice give-and-go, with Barrett busting through contact before offloading back to Niua for the try.

It wasn’t a pretty performance, but it was just enough, and the Eagles held on 19-12.

Photos by David Barpal