Tomasin vs. South Africa in 5th place match / Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
USA RUGBY – The Men’s Eagles Sevens came into the final day of competition at the Tokyo Olympics disappointed to be out of medal contention, but eager to produce a few more wins and finish top five. Similar to the first two days, Wednesday would host two matches across the 5th place semifinal and final. Clashing with rival Canada in match one, the United States pulled out the overtime victory, advancing ahead to a rematch with South Africa. That match would swing the way of the Blitzbok and the Team USA Men ultimately finish in 6th place.
Following the tough quarterfinal loss to Great Britain, Carlin Isles commented on refocusing.
“You have to have a short-term memory, but it’s tough because with emotions you never know how long they’re going to dwindle around for. So to put them in the right perspective and get your mind back on track is key to getting the next job done efficiently. You have to learn how to adapt and hone those emotions quickly.”
Following his own philosophy, Isles had a strong first few minutes, chasing down Justin Douglas on defense to force a knock-on, subsequently scoring a try off the ensuing scrum. Facing off with North American rival Canada is always an opportunity to re-elevate purpose and get back to hungry competition. Canada having lost to New Zealand in the quarterfinal were looking to do the same. Both teams met each other with strong defense to start, the USA pin the ball deep on the restart. It wasn’t until 15 seconds were left on the first half clock that Harry Jones would dance around Isles and Joe Schroeder to tie the score at 7-7.
The second half started with an interesting play as Canadian Captain Nathan Hirayama kicked the restart to the far right, nearly into touch, but was kept in bounds. USA force a penalty and elect for scrum at midfield. From there Kevon Williams pulled up from the scrum to meet a gang-tackle of four, tip-toeing a few yards before the penalty whistle blew in favor of the Eagles.
That play was indicative of a slow second half through the first five minutes as the USA crept closer to the line with a number of scrums until Williams, doing so well from the scrum, drew the defense and found Martin Iosefo for the try and 14-7 lead. Fireworks then were lit with an expiring try from Canada to knot it at 14 all, leading to an extra time restart. Try scorer Harry Jones picked up a yellow card, which opened the door for another Isles try and walk-off win for the USA.
Next up was South Africa in the fifth place final, a rematch from pool play where the Blitzbok earned the first win. Running out the same starters for the last match of Tokyo 2020, Head Coach Mike Friday looked for a little Pool C redemption. It was a tough match to get the offense clicking as most possession was in the USA end. South Africa would notch four tries to the USA one, with a few coming off turnovers only 5 meters from the line. Carlin Isles was hungry to break free with two decent opportunities on the right wing, but South Africa did well to contain the fastest man in rugby.
Stephen Tomasin noted on the support from back home, “Really all we can say is thank you; for waking up in the middle of the night to watch us play, for reaching out on social media and through texts to not only congratulate us, but to push us and tell us that you’re rooting for us. We felt every bit of it. We’re extremely thankful for everybody that has supported us over the last couple of weeks. There’s no better feeling than to have your home country behind you, really pushing you, and we felt that.”
Stephen Tomasin would tally the lone USA Try, collecting the ball shortly off the restart. Tomasin maneuvered through a midfield line-break to get through to dot down under posts. South Africa otherwise had the match in hand, really spreading the wealth as all four tries were scored by different players. Uneventful to close Tokyo 2020, but there was zero shortage of energy from the USA side hoping to close on a high note.
Head Coach Mike Friday closed with a note on the overall Olympic journey.
“In America, the sporting landscape is about medals and winning. We understand that challenge, but it’s also about inspiring. There’s a bigger picture here. It’s about encouraging the sport to be positioned in the high schools and to compliment the super sports. This way there’s an alternative to being that NFL player, or NBA player. It’s being an Olympian, taking up a game with great values and excelling.”
The Men’s Eagles Sevens will soon head home to Chula Vista with no time to waste as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series kicks off this September in Canada, another opportunity to run out as Americans and inspire the next generation.
USA v CANADA
TRIES » C. Isles (2), M. Iosefo
CONVERSIONS » M. Hughes (2/2)
USA v SOUTH AFRICA
TRIES » S. Tomasin
CONVERSIONS » M. Hughes (1/1)