The USA men’s team finished 3rd in the Dubai 7s, beating New Zealand for the second time this weekend to cap off a 4-2 event.

The Eagles were somewhat fortunate to defeat South Africa 21-19 in the quarterfinals. Some mistakes and penalties put them begins 19-7 into the second half. But a yellow card incurred when Carlin Isles was tackled in the air ultimately led to Matai Leuta scoring a breakaway try, and then some good team work allowed Isles to cut up the middle for the winner.

Still South Africa had one more shot, but Isles forced a knock-on that essentially ended the game.

“Any time you get that kind of opportunity,” said USA captain Madison Hughes of the yellow card, “you’ve got to exploit it.”

In a weekend of close games, the USA lost their next one, the Cup Semifinal against England. Leuta and Zack Test staked the Eagles to a 12-0 lead, but England crept back to tie it at halftime. Maka Unufe put the USA ahead at 19-12, but England tied it once more, and in extra time, Phil Burgess went over for the win.

So that pitted the USA against New Zealand for the second time this weekend, and after the dramatic 14-12 win on Day One, one wondered if lightning could strike twice. Not only did it strike, it burned. New Zealand scored first but tries from Folau Niua, Kevin Swiryn, and Will Holder put the Eagles up 19-7. Then, in the second half, with a New Zealander in the sin bin, the Eagles got tries from Perry Baker and Holder again to make it, amazingly, 31-7. New Zealand got one more, but it was a rout. 

The USA is now #3 in the standings after one tournament, and as such is the top seed in their pool for Cape Town, which will include Wales, Australia, and Portugal.