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USA Beats Brazil - Will Play for 9th

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USA Beats Brazil - Will Play for 9th

Carlin Isles scored three tries against Brazil. Photo courtesy World Rugby.

The USA Men’s 7s team will play for 9th in the Men’s Rugby 7s competition in Rio after beating Brazil.

As has been the story for the tournament, it was an inconsistent performance from the Eagles, but they did enough thanks in large part to the athleticism of certain players.

Head Coach Mike Friday made a few changes for this game, starting Carlin Isles, and that worked out fairly well. Brazil struck first, punishing some USA penalties and then, after Nate Ebner slipped off a tackle, powering over Isles in the corner. Ebner tapped his chest as if to claim responsibility for the score, and he was quickly in the action to try to fix the mistake.

Brazil’s restart was out on the full and Folau Niua got the ball moving, linked with Madison Hughes who found Ebner who passed off nicely out of contact to Isles for a try in the corner.

Then Danny Barrett just steamrolled through a gap, and it was 12-5 for the USA.

Brazil kept up the attack and didn’t back down, but Isles forced a drop with a tackle, and was there to get the pass from Ben Pinkelman to take off down the sideline for a classic Carlin Isles score and a 17-5 halftime lead.

In the second half, the Eagles again had to absorb pressure brought on by their own penalties, but good defense forced a turnover and then it was just Isles, from just in front of his own tryline, who cut right, took off, and then cut back to score under the posts. 

Up 24-5, the Eagles were a little sloppy in the final moments, and gave up one more Brazil try, but they did enough to win it 24-12.

Spain beat Kenya 14-12, and so it will be the USA v Spain at 2pm ET, 11am PT on Thursday for 9th place. Kenya plays Brazil for 11th. The medals will also be decided on Thursday.