The USA went 3-0 on Day One of the Biarritz 7s, qualified for Tokyo 2020, and lost one of their best players, perhaps for more than one game.

All in a dramatic day’s work. The Eagle women opened up against China with a kickoff that was halted by the wind before it went 10 meters, and gave up a try right after.

But that rough start didn’t last. Cheta Emba, back in the lineup for this tournament, showed why she belongs as she took the restart and got the USA back on the front foot. Eventually, it was a smart offload from Ilona Maher that set free Naya Tapper for a long run and a try.

Kristen Thomas called her own number on a quick tap, and then added another one a team movement that she finished off with a little fancy footwork.

Emba again got the USA going and a long run ended with her popping a pass to Maher.

Lauren Doyle and Steph Rovetti both made nice breaks to finish off the game: USA 36 China 5. The win over China confirmed at least a point from this tournament, and that was enough to clinch a spot in the top four of the standings, and therefore in the 2020 Olympics. 

QUALIFIED! @USARugby have secured auto qualification to @Tokyo2020 Rugby Sevens after guaranteeing a top four finish in the world series! #Tokyo2020 @Olympics pic.twitter.com/i7lspBvia9

— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) June 15, 2019

Alev Kelter was on the roster but didn’t play in this game as she was serving out a suspension from a red card from the previous tournament.

Fijian Scare

Kelter was available for the next game, against Fiji, one in which the Eagles didn’t play their best. They fell behind early, and almost lost the game had it not been for Doyle.

Fiji led 5-0 but took a yellow card for a neck-roll in the ruck, and from there Doyle raced in to put her side up 7-5.

In the second half, Fiji once again took the lead, taking a loose USA pass and going 70 meters. But once again Emba nabbed the restart and was off charging through. That set up Thomas who unleashed some impressive sidestepping to go around and then in under the posts.

Up 14-12, the Eagles kept making little errors to keep Fiji in it.

Then Raijieli Daveua, who had scored Fiji’s second try, burst through untouched. No one was near her, but somehow Doyle found the energy to make the chase, and she tackled Daveua just before the line, dislodging the ball and causing a knock-on. It was about as clear-cut an example of a game-saving tackle as you would want to see.

USA 14, Fiji 12.

Grouchy French Game

The final game of the day was against hosts France, and both teams decided to slam into each other and force errors. A nice chip ahead from Thomas almost spelled a try for Kelter, but she couldn’t quite gather the ball. But finally, Emba made a move and cut through to score the opening try.

That 7-0 lead held until the second half, when Kristi Kirshe took off around the outside and was in for the try. She was tackled around the head as she scored, but the referee didn’t penalize that.

☑️ Men’s Eagles Sevens
☑️ Women's Eagles Sevens

If this #EaglesUnited ?? S/O doesn't get you hyped, we don't know what will.

Watch out world, @USARugby is ready for #Tokyo2020. pic.twitter.com/s7hDdPLWzP

— Team USA (@TeamUSA) June 15, 2019

Moments later, Doyle sold an outrageous dummy and the game was pretty much done there 19-0.

But from the restart, Kelter needlessly hit a French player in the air. Yellow card for Kelter and France inched closer to the line.

The USA defense held long enough for Kelter to get back on the field, only for the USA star to make a high tackle (see photo) as the French finally went over the line. France was going to score anyway, and there really was no danger of a grand comeback, so Kelter’s effort was, again, needless. Penalty try for France. Yellow card for Kelter, and thus, it being her second yellow of the game, a red card.

The USA will be without Kelter for the quarterfinals, and probably more, and well they should. Perhaps the best USA player of the past few years, Kelter’s pointless penalties were no one’s fault but her own.

Late word is that Kelter will sit out the quarterfinal, but only the quarterfinal.

"It wasn't always pretty," said Kirshe about the day's performance. "But we really showed our grit today and how we work for each other."

?? Behind the scenes after you secure @Tokyo2020 qualification...

Huddle. Celebrations. Photo. ☺️ pic.twitter.com/MkaAKFpMnq

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 15, 2019

Still, good news for the Eagles. The USA has a good draw in the knockout rounds, with Russia the opponent in the quarterfinals, and then either Spain or Australia.

There’s still plenty to play for. New Zealand can clinch the World Series with a quarterfinal win over China (who upset Fiji to make the top eight). USA, Canada, and Australia are all chasing for 2nd in the World Series, with USA slightly ahead of the other two. Canada also booked a spot in Tokyo, while Australia is one win or one French loss away.