Russian try-scorer Elena Zdrokova / Photo: Mike Lee/KLC fotos for World Rugby
The USA is out of contention for the Sydney 7s title, having lost its Cup quarterfinal to Russia 19-14. The Eagles will now play Spain, which lost 29-0 to Australia in the quarterfinals, at 5:33 p.m. PST in the Plate semifinals. The USA’s final game will be contested Saturday, Jan. 27.
Match Reports: New Zealand 31-0 USA • USA 39-0 Japan • England 28-24 USA
Russia erred on the kickoff, affording a USA restart on the 50 meter, but the attack lasted one phase, as a knock-on in the tackle forfeited possession. Off the scrum, Russia captain Alena Mikhaltsova timed her wrap-around perfectly and took the hip pass through the defense. She outran the cover defense for the opening try, 5-0.
A late pass produced another USA knock-on, Russia took the scrum, and scrumhalf Nicole Heavirland forced a big loss in territory due to pressure defense. Russia was scrambling to get out of its 22 meter, but then one of the fastest players in the tournament, Elena Zdrokova, spotted a gap behind an overcommitted defender. She cut back across the defense and got to top speed very quickly for the long-range try, which Mikhaltsova converted, 12-0.
“Two turnovers, two tries. It’s that simple,” USA 7s coach Richie Walker said at halftime.
Tackle completion was also an issue. In the first half, Russia completed 81% of its tackles, while the USA finished 50%. That percentage dipped a bit after the halftime whistle. As Russia moved the ball wide, Baizat Khamidova called for the ball back inside, fended two tacklers going for the shirt grab, and outraced her chaser for the converted try, 19-0.
But just as time seemed to be running out, the USA found its groove, leaning on physical players like Jordan Gray and Abby Gustaitis to make offloading gains through the middle. The ball then moved wide to – you guessed it – Hope Rogers, who took the pass at pace and kept moving forward. The recycle worked to Alev Kelter, who maneuvered nicely through the regrouping defense for the centered try, which she converted, 19-7.
Right away with the restart, Cheta Emba took a fortuitous bounce into the try zone, Kelter converted, and suddenly there were three minutes remaining in a 19-14 game.
Gustaitis did an excellent job of getting her hands on the restart, but it just went forward after the bat-down. Russia took the scrum and kicked down field, and the USA recovered well. The ball moved wide to where Rogers and Emba offloaded back and forth to each other for an impressive amount of ground. The ball moved to the center of the field at the right time, but a knock-on stymied the USA’s chances.
Still in good field possession, the USA got a little impatient and coughed up a not-releasing penalty in the tackle, and Russia kicked the ball to touch to end the game.
The highest that the USA can now finish is 5th, and that begins with a Plate semifinal against Spain at 5:33 p.m. PST.
USA 14
Tries: Kelter, Emba
Cons: Kelter 2
Russia 19
Tries: Mikhaltsova, Zdrokova, Khamidova
Cons: Mikhaltsova 2
USA starters vs. Russia: Gray, Carlyle, Gustaitis, Heavirland (c), Blythe, Kelter Tapper