For Immediate Release

November 28, 2008

 

U.S. Men Go 0-3 in First Day of Competition at Dubai Sevens

DUBAI – The U.S. Men’s Sevens Team finished the first day of competition 0-3 at the IRB Sevens World Series in Dubai today, losing to Fiji, Portugal and England in what proved to be very competitive Pool D action.

The U.S. kicked off the tournament against its toughest competition of the day, Fiji, which they lost 47-12. The Eagles then faced England in the second match, where they found themselves defeated 24-10, and finally, the U.S. battled it out against Portugal and fell just short, losing 22-12, by the final whistle.

“We know we can tangle with anybody,” said U.S. Sevens Coach Al Caravelli. “The guys believe they can beat anybody, but we need to compete and execute for the full 14 minutes. Defensively we missed tackles we shouldn’t have missed, but that’s going to be solved tomorrow.”

In their debut as a ‘core’ team on the IRB Series circuit, the U.S. Sevens squad will now go on to face France in the Bowl Quarterfinals on Saturday morning.

New Zealand, South Africa, Samoa and England all proceeded unbeaten to the second day of the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens. The Cup quarterfinals will feature New Zealand versus Kenya, South Africa against Australia, Samoa and Fiji, while England will face Argentina.

The Dubai tournament is being played for the first time at 'The Sevens', a brand new stadium purpose-built for next year's Rugby World Cup Sevens for both men and women and subsequent Dubai events.

For a full report on day one at 'The Sevens' and for rights-free broadcast-quality audio and video, please visit www.irbsevens.com.

Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens
First Day Results

New Zealand  28, Wales 7
Australia  21, Zimbabwe 12
South Africa  31, Scotland 10
Kenya  28, Arabian Gulf 7
Samoa 19, France 14
Argentina  26, Georgia 7
Fiji  47, USA 12
England  31, Portugal 7
New Zealand  43, Zimbabwe 7
Australia  22, Wales 17
South Africa  33, Arabian Gulf 0
Kenya  38, Scotland 0
Samoa 33, Georgia 7
Argentina  21, France 7 
Fiji  12, Portugal 0 
England  24, USA 10
Wales  26, Zimbabwe 12 
Scotland  19, Arabian Gulf 14
France  14, Georgia 12
Portugal 22, USA 12 
New Zealand 33, Australia 7
South Africa 31, Kenya 0
Samoa 19, Argentina 5
England 28, Fiji  5

 

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