The USA will play Zimbabwe in the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens bowl quarterfinals on day two of the competition. That game will kickoff on Saturday December 3 at 1:02 a.m. ET.
If the USA beats Zimbabwe, they can take five World Series points to the bank and have a shot at the eight points on offer for winning the bowl competition. The bowl quarterfinal will be a good challenge for the Eagles. Zimbabwe picked off Kenya and gave England and France good games on day one.
On day one, the USA had New Zealand, South Africa, and Portugal standing in their path to a cup quarterfinal berth and the Eagles were left winless.
New Zealand and South Africa, last year’s Series champions and runners up respectively, handed the Eagles two tough games in Dubai.
“For us to be able to get on top of New Zealand we have to play flawless rugby and they have to make mistakes. Unfortunately, today it was the other way around where we made mistakes and they played flawlessly,” said USA Head Coach Al Caravelli.
The coach continued to say that mistakes were compounded against South Africa, a team that will make take a mile for every inch given.
The final game of the day against Portugal was a thriller, but a key conversion by Portugal’s Diogo Miranda proved to be the difference maker in a very tight match.
The Eagles scored two excellent tries through Colin Hawley and Nick Edwards against Portugal and showed great confidence with ball in hand that built as the day went on.
“We tried some things against Portugal and we only made two defensive mistakes and both resulted in tries,” said Caravelli.
The silver lining on the cloud of defeat was an investment in the younger Eagles. Newcomer Folau Niua, and former All-Americans Duncan Kelm and Peter Tiberio got experience playing against the top two teams on the planet, something of an investment in the future. All three started against Portugal.
The future is surely on the minds of all American rugby fans as it was announced earlier this week that a partnership between USA Rugby and the United States Olympic Committee will allow 15 men’s sevens athletes to receive fulltime training contracts beginning in 2012.
Gilbert has released a new line of rugby cleats. The Gilbert Virtuo 8S is part of the exciting new product. Check it out.
The entire All Blacks apparel line has been updated for 2013/14. Check out the New Zealand All Blacks polo.
The Nike Tiempo is a solid rugby cleat and one of few styles still made from full-grain natural leather.
The Gilbert Blitz 8S rugby cleat is a great cleat at a great price of $69.99. Get a new pair of cleats today.
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Wear the crest of the British and Irish Lions on your t-shirt. A great look for the summer.
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The All Blacks Performance t-shirt is black with hints of blue from the training jersey. Very Cool.
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The USA Rugby Pro Alternate rugby jersey is perfect for any fan of the Eagles. Get yours to wear during the summer Test matches.
The NEW All Blacks 2013/14 jersey has arrived at World Rugby Shop. Dare to wear the colors of the All Blacks.
