USA smashes Argentina to win Las Vegas Sevens

USA have claimed their first tour stage on the World Series Sevens since 2015 after smashing Argentina 28-0, while Australia finished sixth after losing to trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand at Sam Boyd Stadium.

The tournament hosts went through the tournament undefeated and ran in four tries to none in the final, scoring two tries either side of the break.

Player of the tournament Danny Barrett scored a double in the final, while speedsters Perry Baker and Carlin Isles each crossed for tries.

“So many emotions going through my head right now. Singing that national anthem with everyone was such a moving moment and then being able to perform the way we did, stick to our plan, is surreal,” said USA captain, Ben Pinkleman.

“We just knew this was our moment.

“We’ve been working so hard for so long and we have so much talent on our team that we knew that we should be in places like this.”

Earlier, Australia were knocked out at the quarter-final stage by overall tournament leaders South Africa, losing 29-17.

Andy Friend’s coached side beat Kenya 26-21 in their fifth place semi-final, before losing to New Zealand 17-12 to finish sixth overall.

Fiji bounced back from their cup semifinal loss to USA to beat South Africa 26-22 for the bronze medal playoff.

Playing with only 12 men after the one-match suspended of Vasikali Mudu didn't deter the side from giving their best to down the Springboks.

Mudu was cited after a tackle he made against USA in the semi final.

Fiji scored four tries with captain courageous Jerry Tuwai dotting down twice while Alasio Naduva and Paula Dranisinukula scoring a try each.

The Springboks also scored four tries but they failed to convert three which made the difference.

Fiji maintains its third spot in the overall HSBC World Rugby 7s series and is only seven points away from New Zealand who is in second spot.

Coach Gareth Baber said the target was to keep improving on the field and also on the points table.

Meanwhile, the draws for the Vancouver was announced today with USA leads pool A with Australia, Canada and Uruguay while Argentina is grouped with England, Wales and Samoa in Pool B.

Fiji will meet Spain, France and then Kenya in Pool C.

South Africa takes in-charge of Pool D with New Zealand, Scotland and Russia.

South Africa leads the overall series with 92 points after four events, followed by New Zealand (82), Fiji (79), Australia (72), Argentina (67) and USA (58).

SOURCE: FOX SPORTS/FIJI TIMES/FBC SPORTS/PACNEWS