GRR: National Teams
HARARE, Zimbabwe - The USA U20s finished 5th at the World Rugby U20 Trophy with a 2-2 record after coming from behind to beat Uruguay 32-30 in extra time Sunday.
Disappointed to have lost a must-win game against Spain that would have seen the Junior All Americans win the pool, the U20s instead took 3rd in their pool and had to be content with a fight for 5th.
CHULA VISTA, Calif. - USA Men's 7s Head Coach Mike Friday has named his squad to play in the Paris 7s May 13-15.
Friday retains Nate Ebner, who made his return to the team in Singapore, and also brings back Danny Barrett, Garrett Bender, Zack Test, Folau Niua, Maka Unufe, Nate Augspurger, Madison Hughes, Perry Baker, and Martin Iosefo.
Spain’s U20s defeated the USA U20s 18-16 in a tough, defense-minded game.
The USA team had ample opportunities to score with the lion’s share of possession, especially in the first half, but didn’t play with much cohesion and couldn’t get the offloads they wanted.
We asked USA U20 coach some questions about what the players were doing in their off times in Zimbabwe, and our first question was this: Does everyone have a pet Zebra?
Stephenson, understanding of course that we’re just having fun, answered in kind: Yes, everyone has a pet Zebra!
With their 32-12 defeat of Hong Kong and Spain’s 40-22 defeat of Namibia, the USA U20s are in good position to take 1st Pool B of the World Rugby U20 Trophy.