USA Women Win Big in RWC 7s Opening Round
USA Women Win Big in RWC 7s Opening Round
The USA is through to quarterfinals of the Rugby World CUp 7s women's bracket fter a pretty effective 39-7 defeat of Poland.
It was a good, physical, and very quick Polish side that took the field against the USA in Cape Town but the Eagles had a smart game plan and executed it well. Cheta Emba won the kickoff and that was the beginning of the story, as the Eagles moved the ball from side to side. It wasn't especially pretty, but Jaz Gray finished it off nicely with an excellent burst of speed and a 5-0 lead. The Eagles were back again with a good charge from Emba and then another break from Alena Olsen before Olsen sent a wide pass to Gray and she was in.
Not to be outdone, Naya Tapper marked her return to the world stage with a try set up by Ilona Maher to make it 17-0.
Poland came back. A smart kick ahead got them field position and then pressure defense forced a knock-on by Olsen. Halfback Katarzyna Paszczyk then scampered around the weak side and was over the line pretty much untouched. Karolina Jaszczyszyn converted to make it 17-7. Looking to get the momentum back, Maher went on a powerful run up the middle, fending off defenders as she went. But she was caught just before the line and the first half ended 17-7.
The second half, though, was all USA. Head Coach Emilie Bydwell made some key subs to keep the team fresh, and Gray unleashed a bit of magic—she pretended to pull out of her run, saw her defender turn inward, and then burned her on the outside. A little shimmy got rid of the sweeper and she was in for her third try.
Putting the defence in a spin
— Rugby World Cup 7s 2022 (@WorldRugby7s) September 9, 2022
Jaz Gray brings up her hat-trick in style #HereToSevens | #RWC7s | @USARugby pic.twitter.com/aCPDUQzpDZ
There then followed a really patient buildup with everyone pitching in to keep the continuity going ended with captain Lauren Doyle going through a gap. That made it 29-7 and Kris Thomas racing to the line added five more.
Debutant Sam Sullivan got her first touch and a chance to get things going, and Thomas finished it off for her second and a 39-7 final score.
"It was great to get those tries but it's really just everyone else doing the work," said Gray after the game.
"We didn't really look on this game as a mismatch of whether they had more speed or we had more power, we just focused on what we could do and use all of the weapons that we have on this team," added Emba.
The work rate on the side was quite good, and although they didn't have to play a lot of defense, on attack everyone was quick to win a ruck or get the ball out cleanly to keep going. That was clearly an emphasis within the team.
"We talk as players about being there for our teammates and communicating and we did that," added Emba.
Next up for the USA will be Canada at 4:05PM Saturday.
USA 39
Tries: Gray 3, Thomas 2, Tapper, Doyle
Convs: Heavirland, Cannett
Poland 7
Tries: Paszczyk
Convs: Jaszczyszyn