USA Rugby graphic
The Emirates Invitational 7s resumed for round two in Dubai, and the USA once again began with France. And once again, the game came down to single digits. France scored two tries in teh first half, the USA scored two in the second half, but Nicole Heavirland’s two conversions were the difference on teh scoreboard: 14-12 to the Eagles.
The France deployed its disruptive defense once again, and while the team did manage to fluster the USA at times, unforced errors like dropped passes hurt the Eagles in the first seven minutes. After a couple changes of possession, the USA was working the phases sideline to sideline, but then Naya Tapper took a knee for what looked like a lower-leg injury. Play continued and worked back to the wing’s side, and the ruck support was slow to adjust, so France blew over a ruck for the steal. The USA defense reacted well, unloading on the French and forcing a retreat, but the drive culminated in a strange maul-ish situation, where two consecutive French ballcarriers were allowed to march forward without any attempts at a tackle. The ball did eventually go to ground and France quickly picked weak side from the ruck and won the 1v1 sprint along the sideline, 7-0 with conversion.
The USA was in good attacking position as three French penalties allowed for good possession, but then a pass behind a teammate and subsequent penalty led to a turnover. France wasn’t exactly clean on attack, but Les Bleus did find some success with tight, north-south offloads, and then Camille Grassineau skip-passed the ball to the sideline, and Kristin Thomas and Jordan Matyas collided in attempting to tackle the cut back inside. The try was dotted down near the posts, but the off-center conversion sailed left, 12-0 to France.
The half ended on a scrappy, ball-dropping note, but didn’t immediately tidy up in the second half. Grassineau high-tackled Kristi Kirshe but the early phases saw some vulnerable soft passes move across the pitch. France eventually picked on off, but fortunately, the opportunity ended in touch. From the lineout, the USA worked really nice, fast phases sideline to sideline, although France’s defense did require some tap-passes and quick hands to keep the ball out of contact. Kirshe attempted to send a grubber to the line and while the kick was unsuccessful, France’s recovery was even worse. From a USA 5m attacking scrum, Heavirland broke off the back and held onto the ball just long enough to open up a seam for Stephanie Rovetti to take the pass and dive over the line, 12-7 with Heavirland’s extras.
The USA was on the chase with the restart and a hard tackle from Kirshe put the ball on the ground. As France scrambled to regain possession, Abby Gustaitis stepped into the passing lane for the intercept. Heavirland was on her hip for the hand-off, and she dragged her defender across the line for the tying points. A few deep breaths later, the scrumhalf slotted the conversion for the 14-12 edge.
There was very little time left on the clock and the Eagles gave up a not-releasing penalty to give France some hope. But a good drive from Cheta Emba over a ruck forced France to play the ball on the ground, and that penalty set up a USA scrum. After one play, Rovetti kicked the ball to touch for the 14-12 win.
Up next: Brazil at 5:46 a.m. ET. Watch the games live.