USA Rugby photo
The USA Women went 3-0 on day one the Emirates Invitational 7s, the first of two international tournaments that are woven into teams’ Dubai training camps. The Eagles played France (22-14), Japan (43-5) and Kenya (45-7) today, and will face France’s second side, Canada and Brazil tomorrow.
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The day started with a tough test in France, and the USA trailed into the second half. Les Bleus capitalized on a missed tackle and 2-v-1 along the sideline, and longed a long-range try to kick off the game: 7-0. The Americans responded quickly, as a forward pass set up a USA scrum, and flyhalf Lauren Doyle planted a lethal step back inside for a 50-meter try, which Nicole Heavirland converted, 7-7. France recovered the lead after the restart didn’t go 10 meters. The free kick moved to a French ballcarrier running laterally, but who chose the right moment to angle at the defense for the line-break, offload and try: 14-7 to France.
A knock-on after the restart afford a USA scrum on its 40 meter. Quick phases produced a French penalty, which Jordan Matyas took quickly. Play got a little scrappy as France deployed a nuisance of a defense, but Kristen Thomas did well to secure loose ball and Cheta Emba did a great job of jumping back to her feet on the sideline when there was no support in sight. France halted a Thomas carry but then Heavirland sent a quick, flat ball to Matyas that evaded the onrushing defense. The prop dotted down for the score: 14-12 to France into the break.
France threatened first in the second half, and it looked as if it was going to score with a skip pass found what looked like an unguarded teammate on the wing. But Kristi Kirshe closed the distance and planted a try-saving tackle into touch. The USA regrouped with a lineout, but the French defense forced a dropped pass right in front of the try line and scooped up the ball. It would have been a try if it wasn’t for a slight knock-on.
Nia Toliver came onto the pitch shortly afterward and on her first touch of the ball, scored. A French knock-on set up a USA scrum on its 22. Heavirland and Doyle attacked weak, and then Toliver dummied from the base to score the long-range try. The French pursuit closed in quickly, but Toliver had the angle to get across the line untouched, 17-14 USA.
The USA would score one more try before game’s end, but France’s voracious defense resonated. USA ballcarriers were halted in their spot, and France was able to shut down much of the offload game. There were some moments of confusion and hesitation as the Eagles attempted to retreat and regroup, but the USA did well to take advantage of the vulnerabilities that accompany an up-fast defense presents.
As the clock wore down and France looked to turn over a ruck near mid-field, Ilona Maher dug out the ball and smartly broke to the weak side, where Toliver awaited. Camille Grassineau immediately marked Maher and her teammates were too far away to chase down Toliver on the sprint to the try zone, 22-14 the final.
The USA met Japan in round two and posted a 43-12 win. The Eagles scored first as Japan attempted to offload out of a driving Lauren Doyle tackle, but Sui A’au was well positioned for the intercept. She moved the ball to Maher, whose lovely pass out of the tackle set up Naya Tapper for the try. Alena Olsen kicked the extras, 7-0.
Japan answered when the USA’s second consecutive restart did not go 10 meters. A little dummy put Japan through the line for five points, 7-5.
But the rest of the half belonged to the Americans. Maher got hands on the restart, Doyle collected it and then slipped past the defense for a speedy try, 14-5 with Olsen’s conversion. Japan let a second consecutive restart hit the ground and Emba gathered it. A bounce pass out to Tapper put the winger away for her second of the tournament, 19-5. A very overthrown lineout landed in Emba’s arms, and the prop ran the majority of the pitch before three defenders closed in, necessitating the long pass to Stephanie Rovetti for the try. Olsen’s kick was good for the 26-5 halftime score.
Rovetti was back in the try zone after the break, after Japan’s kickoff didn’t go 10 and a flat pass allowed the flyer to hit the line at pace and score: 31-5. Emba did well to get up for the subsequent restart, Maher gathered it, hit Kasey McCravey coming around, and then a final pass to Tapper brought on the try, 36-5. Rovetti made it three on the day when good defensive pressure in front of Japan’s line resulted in a knock-on – right into Rovetti’s hands. Heavirland converted for the 43-5 lead.
Emba was yellow-carded during the restart and then Japan had its longest attacking series follow. Defense did well to frustrate the offense, and so Japan kicked downfield right to the five meter. The chase was on and Japan scored easily: 43-12 the final.
The USA’s final game of the day against Kenya was not live-streamed, as only one of two fields is being broadcast on YouTube. In the 45-7 win, Toliver scored five times, ending the day with seven tries. Kirshe and A’au also dotted down, while Heavirland (3) and Olsen (2) kicked conversions.
The USA will face France’s second side at 1:22 a.m. ET Saturday, and then it’s game against Brazil will not be viewable on the live-stream. The final game of the day occurs against Canada at 10:10 a.m. ET and can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDq7G7oyor4.