Perry Baker took USA to sevens gold in Vegas – now the hard work begins

That the USA is the sleeping giant of rugby union has come to be something of a cliche. But events in Montevideo and Las Vegas this weekend suggest there is life in the old phrase yet. If the deciding game of the Americas Rugby Championship or finals day at the USA Sevens did not jolt the ogre fully awake, it seemed at least to give it a start.

In Montevideo, America’s men beat Uruguay 61-19 to seal a grand slam and a second successive tournament title in the ARC, the six-nation event also involving Canada, Brazil, Chile and an Argentina XV (essentially a third-string Pumas side but no mugs whatsoever of course).

In Vegas, the Eagles’ men beat England in the quarters, took out the Olympic champions, Fiji, in the semi-final and then shuttered Argentina 28-0 to win their second ever tournament title and their first at home. They are sixth on the World Series table.

The US women are also progressing but it is a member of the men’s sevens squad who both embodies both newfound American success and another cliché of covering the American game.


Source : theguardian