For the first time in history, the USA Eagles are ranked first in the world in the HSBC Sevens World Series.

This is a remarkable achievement by head coach Mike Friday and his amazing squad—particularly given the increased level of competition by the top 10 sides in recent years.

This year, as an added bonus, the top four placed teams after the final event in Paris on June 1-2 will gain automatic qualification for the 2020 Olympic Games.

Last year, it was South Africa who claimed their third HSBC Sevens World Series campaign, going back-to-back in what was the most competitive season to date—just clinching the title during the final match of the season.

Fiji finished second with 180 points, just two behind the Blitzboks, while New Zealand and Australia locked in third and fourth, respectively. 

England—who defeated the United States in dramatic fashion during the Sevens World Cup quarterfinals in San Francisco—finished fifth. 

The U.S. placed sixth with a mere seven table points separating them from the top four. 

It’s no coincidence that, in the history of the Series, the Eagles' best seasons have occurred in the past four years under Mike Friday. The sevens guru took charge of England, recording remarkable finishes in 2004 (second), 2005 (third) and 2006 (second). Friday’s work with Kenya was even more astounding, taking them from 12th to fifth in the world in 2013.

In the above graphic, we look at the USA sevens season standings since the HSBC Sevens World Series began in 1999-'00. The Eagles were invited to a handful of tournaments each year from 1999-'00 to 2007-'08, but only became a "core" team in 2008-'09 when they were invited to all stops on the circuit.

Another small note is that the tournament point-scoring system changed in 2011-'12.

Interestingly, only four different teams have won the HSBC Sevens World Series. Fiji and South Africa each have three titles, Samoa has one, with the All Black sevens dominating on 12 occasions. New Zealand won six consecutive titles from 1999-'04 including another long stint from 2011-'14.

Round 1: Dubai

The 2018-'19 HSBC Sevens World Series began in the United Arab Emirates as Dubai’s 7he Stadium hosted the 16 competing nations. 

In the quarterfinals, it was England who shocked defending Series holders South Africa, while the USA Eagles knocked Fiji out of the tournament. New Zealand—who haven’t been as dominant in recent years—held strong to claim the first Gold medal of the season. 

Quarterfinals

England 22, South Africa 5

New Zealand 21, Scotland 7

Australia 38, Argentina 0

USA 24, Fiji 14

Semifinals

New Zealand 7, England 5

USA 22, Australia 17

Final 

New Zealand 21, USA 5

Round 2: Cape Town

A week after Dubai, the Series moved to the southernmost tip of Africa, as South Africa hosted a sell-out crowd of 55,000 per day at Cape Town Stadium. 

This event has come a long way since the rural setting of George (capacity of 10,000)—now showcasing the success that the festival atmosphere of sevens can bring to major cities. 

I was fortunate to attend this year’s event, doing some media work for USA Rugby. For the first time in two seasons, South Africa’s defense was not cohesive, which was exacerbated by unnecessary kicking of possession on attack. 

South Africa would have been my favorites to face the other side of the bracket, but Fiji stormed through in this tournament.

The Eagles were sublime in the knockout rounds, showing great patience on attack against England and managing the game to perfection. New Zealand, fresh from gold in Dubai, were back to their best—which makes this result even more satisfying. 

USA dominated both sides of the ball, putting in one of the most famous victories over the All Black sevens, punctuated by Danny "Boom Boom" Barrett’s barnstorming try. 

Fiji—who were not tested in the quarterfinals—had more energy in the final, claiming gold. 

Quarterfinals

South Africa 21, Scotland 12

Fiji 46, Spain 7

New Zealand 26, Australia 17

USA 19, England 12

Semifinals

Fiji 17, South Africa 12

USA 31, New Zealand 12

Final

Fiji 29, USA 15

Round 3: New Zealand 

The 20th edition of the New Zealand Sevens takes place in Hamilton this weekend, Jan. 26-27. Predictions are virtually impossible these days when it comes down to the knockout rounds, and my only comment would be that securing No. 1 in your pool is extremely important for a much better pathway to the semifinals. 

If the U.S. is able to take out physical Samoa, Tonga and a quality England side, they will face either Scotland, France or Kenya, which is a world of difference compared to South Africa. 

Fiji has a similar task of winning their pool, or they will face a rampant New Zealand in the quarterfinals.

Pool A: Fiji, Australia, Argentina, Wales

Pool B: USA, England, Samoa, Tonga

Pool C: South Africa, Scotland, France, Kenya

Pool D: New Zealand, Spain, Canada, Japan

History of past New Zealand Sevens winners 

New Zealand = 9 (2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2008, 2005, 2004, 2003)

Fiji = 4 (2018, 2010, 2006, 2000) 

South Africa = 2 (2017, 2002)

England = 2 (2013, 2009)

Samoa = 1 (2007)

Australia = 1 (2001)

Dallen Stanford commentates for World Rugby on the HSBC Sevens World Series, having played for the USA 7s Eagles from 2007-2009. He also was in the commentary box for the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, and will be in the booth this season for the Americas Rugby Championship, World Rugby U20 Championship and Major League Rugby. 

Follow him @TheRugbyCorner on Instagram & Twitter.