The USA beat Canada in Round 2 of pool play at the Canada Sevens in Vancouver, but that tells hardly any of the story,

The Eagles had to battle a tenacious and aggressive Canadian team, their own mistakes, and a few baffling decisions by the referee. 

Turnovers and missed tackles saw Canada’s Conor Braid take an early 7-0 lead. The USA looked to come back but a turnover in the ruck set up Justin Douglas for a 14-0 Canadian advantage midway through the first half.

But the Eagles can strike quickly, and they they did, first with Folau Niua running a switch move with Perry Baker to put Baker up the middle. Then, with time up in the first half, Baker whacked a kick downfield and had all day and night to pick it up and touch it down.

Niua slotted the difficult conversion to make it 14-14 at the break.

Right after the break, the Eagles just ran their phases, with Ben Pinkelman making massive ground before Matai Leuta finished it all off. Once again Niua’s kick was good from wide out, and it was 21-14.

But the Eagles were pinged badly for penalties in the ruck that seemed harsh, and Canada got away with holding onto the ball in the tackle more than once. It was an unsettling series of events that helped lead to John Moonlight galloping in under the posts. Nathan Hirayama was, as usual, good on the kick and it was 21-21.

Neither team wanted a tie, and with time up on the clock both had chances to win it. The Eagles continued to be penalized, and then on one penalty Hirayama missed touch. No one really was expecting that and only Kevon Williams was back to prevent Canada from chasing in for the game-winner. A series of really dangerous runs and passes almost gifted Canada the win. But Baker gathered the ball and got his team going forward, and eventually Williams found a seam, and burst through to score untouched from about 90 meters out.

Out of nothing, the USA had pulled out a victory. Niua’s excellent kicking for goal helped make that happen. Had he missed one, Canada could have kicked to touch and ended the game much earlier.

Next up is Australia, but the Eagles have secured a place in the Cup Quarterfinals already, given that Canada and Australia tied. Even if Australia beats the USA, Canada can only go 1-1-1.

USA 28

Tries: Baker 2, Leuta, Williams

Convs: Niua 3, Baker

Canada 21

Tries: Braid, Douglas, Moonlight

Convs: Hirayama 3