Despite a strong first half performance the Eagles have dropped their first match at the Dubai 7s 36-5 to Fiji. Each team entered the half at 5-5 but in the second half Fiji scored 29 unanswered points for the win.
The match began with the Eagles having a majority of the possession. They did a solid job of making their offloads and competing at the breakdown. Unfortunately for them they were able to turn that possession, which was deep in Fijian territory, into tries. Instead, it was Fiji that struck first. Capitalizing a poor U.S. pass that should have led to a score, Fiji picked up the ball leading to Samisoni Viriviri scoring four minutes in. The conversion missed making it 5-0 to Fiji.
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Still, the Eagles continued to keep possession and pin Fiji in their own territory. The try they had been looking for eventually came shortly before the half when Steve Tomasin smartly read a gap in the Fijian defense, took the ball out of the back of a ruck, and rumbled in for the try. The conversion missed, however, making it 5-5 at halftime.
But in the second half it was all Fiji. Again capitalizing on a U.S. mistake, this time a knock-on, Fiji ran in a great counter-attacking try finished by Pio Tuwai. Samu Saqiwa then took the restart (his first touch of the ball) and waltzed in for the easy try. Suddenly Fiji led 17-5. The onslaught then continued. Fiji stole the ball at the breakdown and turned that into an easy try. Less than a minute later they were able to take advantage of another turnover to make it 29-5.
The best chance of the U.S. came shortly before full-time when Carlin Isles found some space. However, he was boxed into a corner and without support was force to give up the ball to Fiji. The Fijian then turned that into the final try to make the final score 36-5.
During the match Fiji showed just how lethal they are when the opposing team makes mistakes. In the first half the Eagles did a good job of limiting those mistakes but they needed to convert more of their possession into tries. The team will now shift their focus to England, who they play at 9:02 a.m. et/6:02 a.m. pt.
Starters: Edwards, Durutalo, Test, Thompson, Niua, Mizell, Tomasin
Subs Used: Pat Blair, Carlin Isles, Nu'u Punimata