| Barry Markowitz

Chad Wise • April 16, 2017 • Tweet • Barry Markowitz

Barry Markowitz

KALLANG, Singapore - The Men's Eagles Sevens qualified for their first HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series Cup Final since their win in London two seasons ago following a 40-7 defeat of Australia at HSBC Singapore Sevens Sunday.

Stephen Tomasin continues to lead Head Coach Mike Friday's team in try-scoring on the weekend with two more in the win, bringing his total to seven. Perry Baker also broke a two-game drought for his fifth and sixth tries of the eight round of the season. The Series' first all-North America Final between the Eagles and Canada is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. ET, with the live stream available to viewers in the United States on World Rugby's website.

The Eagles used possession to beat Rio 2016 Olympic Summer Games gold medalist Fiji in Sunday's Quarterfinal, and won the opening restart to kick off the Semifinal the same way. Tomasin gave up possession to a penalty after a few phases, however, and John Porch sent a grubber through for the match's first try.

Tomasin grabbed the third-minute restart as the U.S. kept the ball with intent, and Folau Niua provided the final pass to Baker for the 7-7 score line. Winning a third consecutive restart in the Semifinal, the Eagles took a lead they would not surrender in the fifth minute. Tomasin slipped out of one tackle and fended a defender for the 14-7 advantage.

Australia - winner of the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens bronze - lost the final restart of the first half to a high-flying Danny Barrett, who drew a high tackle a few phases later near the attacking 22. Martin Iosefo took on a defender in front of the posts and kept away from another for a 21-7 lead at halftime.

An error from Australia on the second-half restart gifted the Eagles a set piece inside their half, and Barrett created space for Tomasin to sprint to the corner in the ninth minute. His second try of the game brought the score to 26-7. Pinkelman was first to the 10th-minute restart though the U.S. momentarily lost possession after captain Madison Hughes chased his own kick in-goal. Niua caught Australia's 22-meter drop kick and Barrett outmuscled several defenders from the attacking 10 to dot down beside the posts, 33-7.

https://twitter.com/WorldRugby7s/status/853547614624661504

With time winding down Australia's chances of a comeback were miniscule, and substitute Maka Unufe fed Baker for the final nail in the coffin in the 13th minute. Malon Al-Jiboori made his Series debut in the final minute as he, Matai Leuta, and Mike Te'o defended the sizable winning margin, 40-7.

Canada's impressive Quarterfinal defeat of New Zealand was backed up by a close win against England in the Semifinal, making for a border rivalry battle in Singapore. Friday's side will play for their first Series gold medal since the 2015 London tournament at 8:30 a.m. ET, with World Rugby's live stream available to viewers in the U.S.

Men's Eagles Sevens | v. Australia



1. Anthony Welmers



2. Ben Pinkelman



3. Danny Barrett



4. Matai Leuta



5. Mike Te'o



6. Andrew Durutalo



7. Folau Niua



8. Maka Unufe



9. Stephen Tomasin



10. Madison Hughes (C)



11. Perry Baker



12. Martin Iosefo



13. Malon Al-Jiboori

Australia | v. USA



1. Henry Hutchison



2. Simon Kennewell



3. Nick Malouf



4. Liam McNamara



5. James Stannard



6. John Porch



7. Tim Anstee



8. Tom Kingston



9. Ed Jenkins



10. Tom Lucas



11. Charlie Taylor



12. Lachie Anderson



13. Dylan Pietsch

Men's Eagles Sevens | 40



Tries: Baker (2), Tomasin (2), Iosefo, Barrett



Conversions: Hughes (5)

Australia | 7



Tries: Porch



Conversions: Lucas

Men's Eagles Sevens | HSBC Singapore Sevens



v. Wales - W 35-19



v. Scotland - W 33-26



v. New Zealand - L 21-14



Cup QF v. Fiji - W 24-19



Cup SF v. Australia - W 40-7



Cup Final v. Canada - Sunday, April 16 @ 8:30 a.m. ET