USA in the 2016-17 Dubai Seven Series.

2016 Dubai Seven Series

                This was the kick off tournament for the 2016-17 Seven Series. The USA placed 6^th overall after the entire 2015-15 Seven Series. As a USA Seven Series fan I want to see my Eagles win a tournament and what better time to start than the opening tournament of this 10 tournament Series. The top nations in this tournament are Fiji and the Rugby Championship nations of (New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina). The USA never reached the championship game in the 2015-16 Series. Fiji played in the Championship were Fiji (5 times), South Africa (4), New Zealand 4), Australia (2) and Argentina, Kenya, Samoa, Scotland and England all played in for the title.

                The USA was grouped with South Africa, Scotland, USA and Uganda. The Eagles came out flat against the Scotts and lost 5-14. This was their pivot game to play in the Plate or Cup (Top knock-out) bracket. The next game they rebounded against the African Champion Uganda and won with a convincing 29-7 score line. The last game became all that important for both South Africa and USA. The USA lost a tight game 17-19 the eventual Dubai Champions South Africa.

                

         This loss put the talented Eagles in the lower Bowl bracket with the lowest seeded 8 teams. The USA pounded Russia into submission 40-0, and then had a battle against the African Core nation of Kenya 21-19. This victory set up a game against old Pacific Nation rival of Samoa. The Eagles beat Samoa 28-14. This victory allowed the Eagles to get 9^th place in the opening tournament. This bracket gave the USA 3 wins and momentum going into the next Seven series in South Africa in Seven Days (December 10th and 11th).