2017 Hong Kong Sevens- April 7th - 9th

What is the next big Rugby event......

The Hong Kong Seven Series is always the grand daddy of them all. This will be the 42 edition and the Seventh World Rugby Seven Series.

This series not only has the top 16 nations play but there is also the promotion/regulation groups of  World Series qualifiers of 12 other nations. This year Germany, Spain, Uruguay and Hong Kong are the favorites to join the top group next year.  
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The USA has 2 great series in Las Vegas and Canada and now sit in 5th place chasing New Zealand. The problem looking ahead is that you have Australia on their heals.

Shake up in the Americas Ranking

This was a successful tournament. No one wanted to see the Argentina XV win for a 7th consecutive time. We also wanted to see the tournament grow and become more competitive. I do not about grow but it certainly got more competitive. 

First there is a new champion in this tournament....the USA Eagles. They went undefeated and showed they are a force in the region for Rugby. After losing to both Brazil and Uruguay last year the Eagles did not overlook anyone. 

Uruguay placed 3rd and gave the USA fits playing in the states. Uruguay did beat Canada. Uruguay has now taken over Canada in the standing for the first time ever. Uruguay now make 4 quality teams in the Americas.

Brazil also beat their Northern Rival-Canada in a squeaker. Canada was always been ranked above Brazil in Rugby. These victories has had an effect on the Americas Rugby Ranking. 

Paraguay quality is lacking behind the top 6 and hopefully they can challenge next year and make promotion/regulation a reality.

USA Sevens leapfrogs from 8th place to 5th

The USA had their best result for for in the 2016-17 World rugby Seven Series.  They placed 3rd after beating Argentine in the quarterfinals and nipping New Zealand 19-15 for 3rd place. This victory moves the USA up  8th place to 5th. 

The USA was in a 3 way tie with Argentina and France with 35 points. This victory put a little distance between France who are now 10th and Argentina who have 52 points in 8th. 

The USA leapfrogged Scotland who were in 5th, and Wales who were tied for 6th with Australia. 

The European teams are expected to do well in the last two legs which are in Paris and London but we see how Scotland, Wales and France faltered here in North America.

The good news for the Eagles is the are playing with confidence and next weekend the games are in Vancouver. Their group is Australia, France and Japan. They are all beatable. 

USA wins their first Rugby Championship

All the USA Eagles (15 per side) needed was a win (or a tie w/ bonus points) against the favorite Argentina XV in Argentina and that is just what they got. The USA tied Argentina 27-27 and got an extra bonus points to beat Argentina in the standing . The USA claimed the Championship because they scored 4 tries in the match. This Earned them extra point 22 to finally beat the dominant Rugby nation of the Americas.

This is the first time any nation besides Argentina has won the Americas Championship. This is the 7th competition of the top teams in the Americas. 

This is the first time the USA has won a major Rugby Union tournament. This is great news not only for the USA but also the other countries in the Americas. Rugby seems to be getting better in the Americas. Last year Brazil and Uruguay beat the USA. This year Uruguay and Brazil both beat Canada.   

USA v Argentina for Rugby Championship today

 USA v Argentina Priview preview

The Americas Rugby Championship will be determined in the Estadio Municipal de Comodoro Rivadavia. The stadium holds 10,000 which is perfect for Rugby attendance.


This link will do a much better job of the players that i ever could. IT sounds like the Argentina is still a much better team and they hardly lost at home. The Argentine coach is changing his players just because he can. The subs are as good as the starters.  It seem like his is just getting them quality playing time and seeing who can make the jump to their top team.


This game is for the Championship so the stakes are high. The USA know that Argentina has won every Americas championship dating back to 2009, which is 6 in a row. This tournament would make 7.

The USA sure has gotten better over the years however every other country has also gotten better. Hopefully the top USA team (the Eagles) can beat the B team from Argentina. I think all American teams (Canada, Uruguay, Chili and Brazil) would want the USA to win. Who wants a B team slapping other countries best around.

Go Eagles

Americas Rugby Championship

        I am happy with the way the tournament is progressing and so are the promoters. The USA has the biggest market and the most potential of any team in the tournament. I believe the promoters wanted the tournament to still be " alive"  until the last week. So what do you do, well schedule the 2 best teams (USA v Argentina) to play last and hope they have tied records.  Bravo---mission accomplished.

    We all knew Argentina would be there but the USA was in question. So lets take a look at tournament so far. Week 1 the USA played Uruguay at home. The Eagles beat the determined Uruguay by only 5 points. Uruguay beat the USA in last year tournament. Week 2 USA got rolling and pounded a weak Brazil team 51-3. Brazil know knows how I feel when the Samba Kings dominate my yanks on the soccer field. Week 3 was a showdown against USA Eagles arch rival Canada.

USA v Canada
 Canada owns a 38-17-1 all-time record against the USA.  Canada rugby has been as dominant as CAnada hockey against USA hockey. But times have changes. It is safe to say the USA has now over taken Canada in Rugby. The USA has won the last 6 test games in a row. The last time Canada beat the USA was in 2013. 
   The USA pounded their arch rivals in the Am Rugby Championship 51-34 and the game was on Canada soil. 
    This rivalry is not over. To his summer these 2 team square off for the most important game every 4 years. These two games will determine who will represent American North in the next Rugby World Cup. 

 USA vs Chile:
Chile sits at the bottom however they have played 2 away games and their home game was against the all powerful Argentina. The Eagles could get tripped up in Chile if they get caught looking ahead to Argentina.

Here is hoping the Eagles dominate Chile this weekend...

Go Eagles
     

Americans Rugby Championship

Week 2: Well it looks like Argentina has beaten two of the top teams in the tournament. Their only other challenger will be the USA. They will be playing the Eagles in Argentina. Argentina's B team soundly beat Uruguay 57-12 in Argentina. Uruguay is about USA's equal almost beating the Eagles last week (23-29).

Argentina has won every tournament since 2009. So that is 6 in a row and unless there is a big upset, they already have one hand on the trophy.

The USA EAgles had 7 changes to their line up after the Uruguay game. They pounded poor Brazil 51-3. The Eagles are a cut above Brazil and the talent showed in the second half. USA coach Mitchell is trying to develope more players and he is doing a great job so far, getting results and playing many different players.
     

Canada also had a great game in week 2, taking their frustration out on Chile winning 35-15.


Argentina is the top team here. Then we have Canada, Uruguay and the USA all competing for 2nd place. The USA did get 2nd last year but just bearly.

Canada v USA ( location Canada): Canada use to be beat the USA all the time in Rugby. Then Rugby got a little popular and the Eagles ahve the upper hand now. These 2 nations are arch rivals since they are the 2 teams to play for the all important Rugby World Cup spot.
    Last year the Eagles beat Canada in (USA), this year the game will be held in Canada's British Colombia. Canada will be looking for payback. The USA is coming off dominating Brazil (who they lost to last year) and will be very difficult to beat.

  The USA at 2-0              

Americans Rugby Championship

  Week one is in the books. There were 3 competitive games. We can call this week, payback week. You see last year the USA lost to Uruguay in a tightly contested game 25-29. This year the Eagles pay back URuguay and won the game 29-23 in the states. These 2 nations seem very equal in their talent and record.

Brazil also had a pay back game against Chile. That s right Brazil lost to Chile last year in Chile, 25-22. This year the game was played in Brazil where every team have a bit of an advantage playing at home.

The last game Argentina XV beat Canada in Canada 20-6. Last year Canada lost badly 54-21 in Argentina. This is a good sign that Canada had a closer game.


So my take is -- I wish the USA had a more convincing win. I am glad the Eagles won, against a good team. However I am hoping the USA will win this tournament. With only 2 games at home, this idea seems like a long shot unless someone can beat Argentina XV. I am hoping any all all teams can beat this Argentina B team just to show the sport is growing in popularity but also in talent.

anyway....see you next week. Go Eagles

USA Hawks (development) team has mixed reviews in South America

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Sudamérica_Rugby_Sevens

The USA Hawks sent their development team to the 2 South American tournaments. Fiji and Argentina also sent their development teams. Those 2 nations dominated this tournament. No other team could beat them. The USA development team got abused by them.

To keep things in perspective the USA Senior Sevens team is much more competitive and can beat Argentina, and challenges Fiji.

Chile and Uruguay senior Sevens teams placed 3rd and 4th and have now qualified for the Hong Kong Sevens. They will play against Jamaica and 8 other teams to total 12 teams. The winner of the World Series Qualifiers.

This was nice to send the development team to get in competitive games against other nations. The USA Hawks did well, remember these are young kids and they are playing away from home.

I do not know if this was Canada's development team. i am going to assume that it was. The USA and Canada ties in points after the 2 tournaments.


Next big tournament is the American Rugby Championship. 

USA Hawks (development team) in the South American tournamnets update

Puntadel Este, Uruguay

Pool A	Pool B
Fiji	Argentina
Chili	USA
Canada	Uruguay
Colombia	Brazil

            There will be two 7’s tournaments in South America. One will take place in Uruguay and the other in Chile. There will be 4 South American nations fighting for the top 2 qualifying spots. The top 2 teams will qualify for the USA Sevens (Las Vegas) and the Vancouver 7’s and the Hong Kong Sevens Tournament.    

 The USA, Canada, Argentina and Fiji sent their developmental teams. These nations are already in the World Seven’s Series. The South American nations had their official national seven sides participate. This tournament means everything for them.

            The USA development side had an ok tournament. First they lost badly to both Fiji and Argentina.  IF the USA is going to match these other countries in the senior tournament, they have to show progress in their development sides.  

Pool Play: The USA development side beat the host and Brazil in pool play. However they lost badly to power Argentina 0-38.

Knockout rounds  Quarter-finals: The  USA beat 3^rd seed Colombia from pool B 14-12.  Colombia did show some good fight to hang in there with the USA. The next round the USA had to play Pool A’s top team Fiji. Fiji’s development team  clobbered USA development team 45-0. The USA realizes their development program is way behind this tiny Pacific nation. The USA then was placed in the 3^rd place game against a highly motivated Chili team. Chili took ther revenge against USA and won 19-7.

Vina Del Mar Sevens (Chile)

Pool A	Pool B
Argentina	Fiji
USA	Chili
Uruguay	Colombia
Brazil	Canada

           

            DAY 1 RESULTS

POOL A
Argentina 28 – 7 Brazil
USA 12 – 14 Uruguay
Argentina 24 – 5 Uruguay
USA 12 – 5 Brazil
Argentina 26 – 0 USA
Uruguay 24 – 7 Brazil

POOL B
Fiji 33 – 0 Canada
Chile 28 – 0 Colombia
Fiji 36 – 5 Colombia
Chile 27 – 14 Canada
Colombia 12 – 36 Canada
Fiji 31 – 12 Chile

            The USA has placed 3^rd in Pool behind power Argentina and newly improving Uruguay. The USA will probably play 2^nd place Pool B nation, which will probably be Chile who had 2 wins and a loss to Fiji. This tournament is shaping up just like the Uruguay tournament. The USA will have to beat a highly motivated and full senior team chili in the knockout bracket. 

America Rugby Championship 2017

2017 Americas Rugby Championship              February  4^th 2017

Americas Rugby Championship

            The regions of North and South America wanted to promote the sport.  A new tournament was created called The Americas Rugby Championship. This tournament would mimic the highly successful European 6 Nations Championship (England, Ireland, France, Wales, Scotland and Italy). The Americas would now have their own tournament. The nations would play a home/away just like Europe’s Championship. 

      The first tournament with 6 nations was in 2016 and Argentina’s B team won.  These nations hope to capture national pride and have the sport grow. The next tournament in February 4^th and will be held the first 5 weekends right after the Super Bowl. The audience of the states would not be bothered with American football during this time.  

The Early tournaments

year	Champion	Runner -up	3rd
2009	Argentina Jaguars	BC Bears
2010	Argentina Jaguars	Canada Selects	USA Selects
2012	No tournament
2013	Argentina Jaguars	USA Selects	Canada A	Uruguay
2014	Argentina Jaguars	USA Selects
2015	No tournament
2016	Argentina XV	USA	Canada	Uruguay
2017	-

           

      

           The first tournaments started as a Canadian tournament with Canada placing 4 teams in the first 2 tournaments. The next tournament in 2012 had the Canadian Selects, Argentina Jaguars, Tonga A and USA Selects XV.  Argentina won easily.

            The 2013 tournament then only had the B team’s of Argentina, USA Selects, Canada A and Uruguay. This was the time USA started overtaking Canada in Rugby
.

The  2014 Tournament was similar to the 2013 tournament and the result was the same with Argentina winning and USA second.

The 2016 tournament expanded to 6 nations of Argentina Jaguars (B-Team), USA, Canada, Uruguay, Chile and Uruguay. Argentina again won with USA 2^nd, Canada 3^rd, Uruguay 4^th , Brazil 5^th and Chile 6^th .   As you can see these tournaments have been dominated by Argentina’s B team.  Argentina has won every tournament. The USA did tie Argentina in 2016 however lost to both Brazil and Uruguay.  This blew any change of overtaking Argentina’s B Team.

The USA progressing

Canada use to beat the USA in past tournaments all the time.  From 2006 to 2013 the 2 nations meet 12 times with Canada winning 11. However the last 4 matches have been won by the USA Eagles. We are now waiting for the USA to start gaining ground of the more powerful nations like Argentina, Australia, Ireland and England to name a few. Canada knows they will unlikely overtake USA in soccer and they do not want to be second fiddle to the USA in Rugby. They have been USA arch rival. The USA Eagles (USA top team) seems to have the edge just because of the resources (population, weather, economically and the plethora of college Teams now emerging). The USA is currently ranked 17^th with Canada right behind them at 18^th. This tournament will count in the standing as “test” matches that will affect ranking. Canada will host the USA this year’s tournament on February Burnbury, British Columbia.

Americas Championship A
38	Paraguay
43	Colombia
49	Trinidad & Tobago
52	Mexico
54	Guyana
60	Cayman Islands

Tier II for the Americas (promotion/regulation)

There is no promotion/regulation like in the international hockey tournaments but I think this possibility could create interest in the sport. I would like to see maybe Mexico and the other highly ranked Rugby nations of South America square off. The winner of this tournament could be promoted to the top tournament the next year. This would give nations incentive.