For Immediate Release
December 5, 2008

 

U.S. Defeats Australia, Georgia to Clinch Spot in Cup Quarterfinals

GEORGE, South Africa – The U.S. Sevens Team lost to hosts South Africa, but sealed a great victory over Australia and clearly overpowered Georgia to book their place in Saturday’s Cup quarterfinals at the IRB Sevens World Series in George, South Africa today.

 

South Africa, bidding to win their first title on home soil, delighted the partisan crowd at the Outeniqua Park stadium by kicking off their campaign with a 24-0 win against Al Caravelli's well-drilled USA side.

 

The Americans then faced Australia in their second fixture of the day. Having impressed against the Boks, captain Chris Wyles was again a key figure for the U.S. side as they built a 21-7 halftime lead. Australia came storming back, however, and were able to gain a five point lead with two minutes remaining. The USA wouldn’t let up, though, and Kevin Swiryn scored a try at full time to bring the scores level at 26-26 before Nese Malifa's nerveless conversion from wide on the right won the game for USA, 28-26.

 

The USA then confirmed their place in the last eight for the second year in a row at this tournament, with a convincing 38-0 win over Georgia. Wyles again led the way for the Eagles, scoring a hat trick for the match and four for the day.

 

“We are so happy right now,” Wyles said on behalf of his team. “This was a huge effort from the boys and we are ecstatic. We always seem to play better in the second tournament, after we’ve spent some time together and I think you can see we are gelling more as a team.”

 

The U.S. will be joined in the Cup bracket by South Africa, New Zealand, Fiji,  England and  Portugal, who pulled off three stunning victories over Series regulars Kenya, Samoa and Wales in Pool D to finish on top of their pool for the first time and reach only their second-ever Cup quarterfinal. The U.S. is set to play New Zealand first, just before noon tomorrow.

“Going forward we need to just take it one game at a time. We need to keep the same game plan that we’ve had for the last couple games and hope for the best. This (increased competition) is great for the game of sevens,” Wyles added in reference to Portugal and the U.S. making the cup quarterfinals. “Everyone is improving, which makes for tougher matches even for the big four.”

For more information on the USA Sevens Team, please visit www.usarugby.org/goto/mens_sevens. For more information on the IRB Sevens World Series, please visit www.irbsevens.com.

 

IRB South Africa Sevens
Friday’s Results

 

Fiji 31, Scotland 0               

Argentina 26, Zimbabwe 12

Samoa 31, Wales 5

Portugal 14, Kenya 12

New Zealand 40, France 5               

England 42, Tunisia 7      

South Africa 24, USA 0      

Australia                26, Georgia 5

Fiji 24, Zimbabwe 14         

Argentina 14, Scotland 0   

Portugal 19, Samoa 17
Kenya 19, Wales 12
New Zealand 36, Tunisia 0              
England 21, France 7        

South Africa 31, Georgia 5
USA 28, Australia                26

Zimbabwe 17, Scotland 7
Portugal 19, Wales 17

France 19, Tunisia 14
USA 38, Georgia 0             
Fiji 26, Argentina 7             

Samoa 17, Kenya 12         

New Zealand 19, England 7            
South Africa 17, Australia 7

 

Inspiring America to fall in love with Rugby
Sara John | Director of Communications | USA Rugby
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