Round 5
8-10 February 2013
Venue: Sam Boyd Stadium
City: Las Vegas
Capacity: 36,800

- Recap on all of the action from day one of the 2013 USA Sevens
- Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa and South Africa all went unbeaten on the opening day.
- All teams can still mathematically qualify for the Cup quarters!
Thanks for joining us today in Las Vegas - it's been a great day and we hope you will be back tomorrow!
Tomorrow's early matches - the final round of the pool games - look like this
Fiji v Portugal
Canada v Uruguay
France v Wales
Samoa v Australia
England v Scotland
Kenya v South Africa
New Zealand v Argentina
Spain v USA
Be sure to check out Day 2 of the #USA7s for more of the same action, intensity, and good times!
— USA Sevens Rugby (@USA Sevens Rugby) 09/02/2013 05:56
RT @bethcoalter: End of 1st day here and nothing is definite as to which teams will go into the cup. Another crazy, mixed up Series day ...
— Sevens World Series (@Sevens World Series) 09/02/2013 05:53
New Zealand's Tomasi Cama ends the day as the top points scorer (19) while four players sit on top of the try-scoring charts with there apiece - Cornal Hendricks, Samisoni Viriviri, Ben Lam and Glen Lewis Rolls.
Well what a fantastic opening day of rugby here at the Sam Boyd Stadium! As we head into day two, every single side can still mathematically qualify for the Cup quarters which makes tomorrow's final pool games absolutely fascinating!
Samoa go two from two with a good 12-7 win over a battling home side. And that's a wrap here today with all matches now complete.
Samoa creep back in front! It's Levasa around the outside after a turnover handed the ball back. Samoa now lead 12-7!
We are ending the day with a great contest here as USA lead Samoa 7-5. There's some real bite in this one with the home side deserate to give their fans something to cheer about.
USA hit back with an excellent try from Zach Test who collects a deft chip to touch down and his side now lead 7-5.
Samoa score first through Levi Asifa'amatala who bounces off a tackle in full flight to dot down in the corner. It's 5-0 to Samoa.
USA have started well here. Carlin Isles races through to chase a kick and despite beating a number of Samoan defenders, loses the race against the ball as it bobbles beyond the tryline.
Final game of the day coming up with defending champions Samoa up against the USA.
Spain celebrate wildly as Lewis Rolls scores again in the corner! Huge win for the Spanish against a side who had won 9 of their last 10 matches. They win it 24-14!
Spain score again! It's Glen Lewis Rolls and now Spain are leading 19-14! Exciting game.
Big turnover for Spain in the middle of the pitch and Pedro Martin sprints away to score! It's now 14-14 and a big 4 mins to go!
Big ups to @paultreu and his team for bouncing back from the disappointment of Wellington and beating Uruguay 41-0 and Canada 17-5 at #USA7s
— Brenden Nel (@Brenden Nel) 09/02/2013 05:17
A very tight clash here. Spain have defended very well indeed in the face of some strong attacks from Australia. Finally on the whistle a second try came from Con Foley after good buildup from Tom Cusack. Australia lead 14-7
Lovely ladies in red #costumes #USA7s http://t.co/QbYoxM6W
— USA Sevens Rugby (@USA Sevens Rugby) 09/02/2013 05:11
Spain hit back seconds later! It's an individual bit of brilliance from Marcos Poggi who sprints down the touchline to grab a try. A great convertion from Pedro Martin and it's 7-7.
Australia have started very well with a lovely try from playmaker Lewis Holland and they lead 7-0 having dominated possession so far.
The Ups and Downs of 7s rugby.. 1-1 on day 1. Big one for us first up tomorrow vs Uruguay. #USA7s
— Nate Hirayama (@Nate Hirayama) 09/02/2013 05:06
Just two games to here tonight and they are the remaining matches in Pool D where the impressive Australia take on Spain and defending USA Sevens champions, Samoa, take on USA.
Great win for Argentina who take a 14-12 win over France, who look devestated at the final whistle.
Julien Candelon, who was on fire in Wellington, scores a vital try (his 20th in the World Series) has helped France get back into this. 14-12 to Argentina with 50 seconds on the clock!
Great stat about Australia who are up next - they have won 9 of their last 10 matches. A great record - can they keep it going v Spain?
— Sevens World Series (@Sevens World Series) 09/02/2013 04:59
Javier Rojas finally grabs the first try of the second half - they lead France 14-5.
Halftime and Argentina lead France 7-5. Anyone's game though!
Argentina get back in the game with a try from Ramior Moyana and lead 7-5 courtesy of the convertion. Game on!
Fine opening try there from Terry Bouhraoua who races out wide and dives over in the corner to score the first try for France. 5-0.
We've got Argentina taking on France now in the final game today in Pool C.
#BenLam is playing LIGHTS OUT as he scores his third try of the game #unstoppable #USA7s
— USA Sevens Rugby (@USA Sevens Rugby) 09/02/2013 04:42
New Zealand take it 40-5. A hat-trick from the impressive Ben Lamn has helped them to a 100% record here on day one. Rocky Kahn also scored a belting try right at the end to put some gloss on the score-line.
Ifan Evans gets one back for Wales but New Zealand score a breakaway through Warwick Lahmert and this game is all but won now as the kiwis lead 26-5.
New Zealand have pushed the lead out further with another good try - this time from Tomasi Cama who also converts it for 19-0. Wales are looking tired out there now.
New Zealand lead thanks to two great finishes from Ben Lam who is running with real confidence. It's 12-0 and Wales haven't had enough ball in the New Zealand half.
Paul Delport, South Africa, on winning both matches on day one:
"It's nice to get two on the board, we really wanted to start well, especially after last week. It was important. The guys aren't used to playing over three days so to build some momentum going into days two and three it is always great. The way we do it, it is day one game one, game two. Tomorrow it is day two game one, we are not worried if it is a pool game, or a quarter or a semi, every opponent we play against we respect them."
Lee Williams walks off the pitch to applause having been down for a few minutes. We are back underway and New Zealand are leading 7-0
New Zealand strike first through Ben Lam. Wales have a player down on the ground though and there may be a break in play here!
bout to watch the All Blacks Sevens play Wales! #usa7s
— Austin Morris (@Austin Morris) 09/02/2013 04:22
Next up it's New Zealand taking on Wales as we move onto Pool C. New Zealand have only been beaten once by Wales in the Series.
Another good win for South Africa who go two from two today. Canada grabbed a late try back through John Moonlight but it was too little too late. South Africa win it 17-5.
#USA7s great vision by Delport with cross kick to send Dippies over!
— BlitzBokke (@BlitzBokke ) 09/02/2013 04:15
Stephen Dippenaar scores a third for South Africa and it will be very hard for Canada from here. It's 17-0 here.
Cornal Hendricks scores a second try for South Africa to give them a 10-0 lead. Canada pressed hard to get one back before the break but knocked it on going over the line!
Two very similar sides out there and finally Warren Whiteley scores the opening try for South Africa. 5-0
Next up it's South Africa and Canada - two sides who won their opening games.
Uruguay are no push over. #Kenya7s #USA7s
— Aruné Ngare (@Aruné Ngare) 09/02/2013 03:59
Kenya win it 12-7 but were made to work incredibly hard by a very plucky Uruguay side who will be bitterly disappointed they couldn't hold onto that lead. Great game!
Kenya fan section going nuts after the Kenya try!!!!!! #rockingfansection #USA7s http://t.co/GnxUP896
— USA Sevens Rugby (@USA Sevens Rugby) 09/02/2013 03:56
And Kenya get a crucial try back! There was some superb handling in the lead-up from Oscar Ayodi and they now lead 12-7.
Uruguay are going really well here and still lead 7-5. They are on the attack in the Kenya 22 and are pushing really hard for this!
Are we going to have another surprise on our hands here today? Kenya have already been beaten by Canada today and trail Uruguay 7-4.
Uruguay score through Federico Favaro right at the whistle! Great score from the side who have played some lovely attacking rugby here so far. And a touchline kick from Felipe Berchesi sees them lead 7-5.
Very frustrating first 14 minutes in Vegas... The emotions got the best of us... Time to reset and focus on the next 14 ahead... #USA7s
— Matt Hawkins (@Matt Hawkins) 09/02/2013 03:45
Finally Kenya score through Dennis Ombachi and his side go ahead 5-0 but Uruguay have been impressive in the opening six minutes here.
Lets Go Kenya, Lets Go #Kenya7s #USA7s #LasVegas7s
— The Gentleman (@The Gentleman) 09/02/2013 03:40
Kenya and Uruguay are now out on the field. The Kenyan fans are already in fine voice.
What a game that was! Fiji win it 12-14 but Russell Weir had a kick to win it at the death but it sailed just wide. Fiji now top Pool A after two good wins today.
Try for Scotland! Struan Dewar goes over out wide after a frantic few minutes of play. But the convertion is missed! Fiji lead 12-14 with just 10 seconds to go!
Great contest here as Scotland push for a score to get back in the game! Gregor is down injured but his side are pressing very hard, behind 7-14.
Fiji's game has improved heaps. Defense and attacking game so much better. #teamfiji #USA7s
— Marama (@Marama) 09/02/2013 03:31
Colin Gregor gives Scotland some hope with a try right at the whistle and now the gap is down to 14-7 and it's anyone's match.
Frederico Sousa, Portugal coach (after victory against England):
"We feel good, a little bit happy with our morale up after a scrappy defeat against Scotland, we needed to turn it around and step up. I think the Series is very even, anyone can beat anyone and that shows by the results. We just need to consistent. For us it is very important, unfortunately we had that narrow loss against Scotland but we will fight back against Fiji."
Ilai Tinai scores a cracker for Fiji! In full flight he races down the wing, chips and dives over the line to give his side a 14-0 lead.
Fiji have started well with a try from Samisoni Viriviri to go 7-0 up but Scotland are stretching the ball back and forth well and have enjoyed lots of possession.
Next up it's Fiji and Scotland to round off Pool A action for today!
What a difference ONE WEEK can make. #USA7s
— Kay (@Kay) 09/02/2013 03:14
Portugal win it 21-5 in an upset here! Their defence was superb throughout as they forced England into too many mistakes and they go wild on the pitch after a deserved victory!
Try for Portugal! It's Duarte Moreira who skips out of a tackle and scores. There are six minutes on the clock though so there is time for England but they now trail 21-5.
Now or never for England who need to win this to stand a decent chance of getting through to the Cup quarter-finals.
Alex Magleby, USA Sevens coach (after defeat to Australia):
"It was a really dumb first half. We played a lot of crash ball that we didn't need to. Australia beat us up pretty good in the contact point. I thought they were playing the best rugby in the Series coming in here. There are some positives we can take, it is nice to play in front of a home crowd but we need to perform and that is what we've got to do."
Having gone 14-0 down, England scored through Marcus Watson who finished very well out wide. They trail 5-14 and this would be a surprise result.
England are being rocked here with Portugal scoring again to take a 14-0 lead. The winners in Wellington last weekend need to hit back quickly here.
Fiji's Manueli Lagai has been given a six week ban for an incident in the opening game against England.
Great start for Portugal! They score through Pedro Bettencourt after just a minute.
Now we're back to the second round of the pool stages. England will start us off again - this time wearing blue - and will take on Portugal.
Carlin Isles #USA7s
— iMan (@iMan) 09/02/2013 02:51
Game over and Australia are winners here 26-7. The home side won't like it too much but Australia were by far the stronger side.
And finally Isles gives the crowd what they want to see with a 60 metre sprint to score. That boy is QUICK! It's now 26-7.
Australia score a fourth and try and the game is beyond USA now with just over 3 mins to go.
Samoa fans cheer defending champs win against Spain at #USA7s http://t.co/gsjfVNWI
— Sevens World Series (@Sevens World Series) 09/02/2013 02:47
Carlin Isles has taken to the pitch to much anticipation! Let's hope he gets the ball in his hands!
Tom Cusack adds a third for Australia who are coasting in this game now and leading 19-0.
#Kenya7s backs now against the wall at #USA7s ..Now will see what we're made of as this is gonna be mentally &physically demanding #Shujaa
— Mike Friday (@Mike Friday) 09/02/2013 02:39
Second try for Australia as Con Foley stretches to score and USA need some reply here if they are going to stay in this game.
USA USA USA #USA7s #rugby
— Nooch (@Nooch) 09/02/2013 02:35
Faamoni Lalomilo, Samoa coach (defending champions) gave this reaction after the tight win over Spain.
"It was really tough. Spain, they wanted to win the game, but I am happy with the boys, especially in the second half and by the end we won. We had to keep the ball and not to force the pass, to recycle the ball and take it wide and use it well. It is a second home, a big ground for Samoa, and the boys have to work hard for the fans too. It is not easy to defend the title, but we have to work hard on our plan."
Australia take a try early through Jesse Parahi much to the dismay of the home side. They lead 7-0.
Here come the hosts USA, to huge applause. They face Australia!
Wow.. Solid game.. The Spanish aye.. Nxt time mate. Samoa win. #USA7s
— Psalms West (@Psalms West) 09/02/2013 02:29
Stunning game of rugby here with Samoa winning it 19-12. The defending champions of the USA Sevens were pushed all the way here by a very gutsy Spanish side who had raced into a 12-0 lead early on. Next up it's Australia against the hosts USA.
Samoa finally score after wave after wave of attack with just 58 seconds on the clock! They lead 19-12 and have they done enough?
SAMOA score another try by Patrick Faapale! Score SAMOA 12 - Spain 12 #GOMANU!!!! #USA7s #IRBSevens #Samoa7s #TeamSamoa #ShopSamoa Jen
— Samoa Rugby World (@Samoa Rugby World) 09/02/2013 02:23
Great start to the second half as Faapale scores to level the game up at 12-12! Big finale coming up!
Spain lead 12-7 at the break having taken a surprise two-try lead. Samoa hit back with a late try and a touchline convertion from Patrick Faapale. Awesome game here!
Amazing try by Spain #USA7s
— CARC (@CARC) 09/02/2013 02:15
Wow what a game we have on our hands here! Facundo Lavino scores a second try for Spain and they now lead 12-0!
Awesome try for Spain who shock Samoa with an early score! Julen Goia Iriberri sprints over out wide and takes it to lead 5-0.
Action about to get underway here. Spain have never beaten Samoa in seven attempts. The atmosphere in the ground is great here as darkness falls over Vegas.
Wales win it 17-7. There wasn't too much to choose between the sides but Wales finished their tries well and kicked a late penalty to make sure. Next up it's Samoa - the winners of this competition last year - and Spain.
Try for Wales as Matthew Pewtner rides a tackle as he crosses the line. Wales now leading 14-7 with just over 3 mins to play.
Come on fans who has the best costumes this year??? #crazycomstumes #usa7s http://t.co/HnnHTdQT
— USA Sevens Rugby (@USA Sevens Rugby) 09/02/2013 01:59
Wales level it up right at the break with a good finish from Lee Williams and it's 7-7 at the turnaround.
Fantastic try for Argentina through Matias Moroni who kicks it through and displays some soccer-skills and great foot work to finish it off. His side lead 7-0!
Nothing giving between Argentina and Wales so far with both sides defending well. Jason Harries has had a couple of good bursts for Wales but Argentina have tackled hard.
#7NZL laying the wood to #7FRA at the #USA7s
— jwilloughby (@jwilloughby) 09/02/2013 01:46
New Zealand are made to work very hard for it but take a convincing 21-0 win over France. Next up it's Argentian and Wales - a re-match of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009.
Great try from David Raikuna who negotiates the narrow pitch brilliantly to spin out of a tackle and race away for a great try. New Zealand lead 21-0.
Love that #USA7s have hashtagged their pitch
— RugbyScotland (@RugbyScotland) 09/02/2013 01:38
A second try from Tuatagaloa sees New Zealand push the lead out to 14-0. France are making a few too many errors in attack and New Zealand have punished them.
New Zealand lead 7-0 at the break and France are defending very strongly indeed with nothing coming easy for the kiwis, who are dominating possession but not the score-board just yet.
New Zealand squeeze over for the opening score through Belgium Tuatagaloa and Tomasi Cami adds a convertion from the touchline for a 7-0 lead.
Tight opening few minutes here with the game being played in and around the halfway line. France are defending tigerishly with some excellent tackles going in with New Zealand enjoying most of the ball in the opening exchanges.
France have only ever beaten New Zealand twice in 42 matches. Can they do it here?
Next up it's Series leaders New Zealand up against France.
A comfortable win for South Africa in the end who take it 45-0 Cornal Hendricks had a second half brace, showing lots of power and pace, as Uruguay just couldn't get hold of the ball and were forced on the defensive for most of the game. The final score came from Seabelo Senatla.
RT @BlitzBokke: Good to see hashtag #USA7s on the @samboydstadium pitch.... @irbsevens
— Sevens World Series (@Sevens World Series) 09/02/2013 01:22
Paul Delport has added another try for South Africa, with Philip Snyman heavily involved again in the score. He's having a great game.
South Africa are well in control here, leading 19-0 and dominating possession thuogh Uruguay are putting some thumping tackles in.
“@BlitzBokke: #USA7s Snyman has a lot more direction with the boot than last week. SA leads Argentina 12-0”
— AtTheSevens.com (@AtTheSevens.com) 09/02/2013 01:12
Early try for South Africa from Philip Snyman and he converts for a 7-0 lead. Uruguay will be hoping to go well this weekend as it's part of important build-up to the RWC Sevens qualifiers coming up this month.
That result now means that both Cup Finalists have now lost today so far. Next up it's South Africa and Uruguay
Super win for Canada who added a third try from Nanyak Dala to secure a 19-12 win.
Awesome finish from Oscar Ouma who breaks out of a tackle and then turns his marker inside out on the way to the corner. The kick though is missed and Kenya still trail 12-14.
Canada take the lead again with Jeffery Hassler spotting a gap and pinning his ears back to race over the line. Nathan Hirayama converts and it's 14-7 to Canada.
We just bumped into Al Caravelli, former USA Sevens coach and current Philippines coach, and asked him for his thoughts on the Series so far:
"You look at some of the pools, I think it is pretty tough to see two of those teams, look at Fiji last week go down to the Bowl competition for the first time, and then Canada beating them. Kenya beating New Zealand too on home soil, that is phenomenal. The Series goes from strength to strength, and it is super exciting as a fan. I am not in the Series, it gives me a different perspective, and you pick up so many different aspects of the game. I feel like I am still in the Series, but without the pressure."
Kenya hit back just before half-time through Collins Injera - the country's all time top scorer. It's now 7-7 in a tight tense game.
And it's Canada to score first! It's series top try scorer Sean Duke with a neat little chip and chase.
Super break from Collins Injera who sprints 60 metres but is tackled just inches short. Great work in defence from Canada.
Kenya race out onto the pitch to huge cheers - there are a huge number of Kenyan fans here!
Next up we've got Kenya - finalists last weekend in Wellington - taking on Canada.
Scotland win 12-10 and the Scots needed some brave tackling to secure the win with Portugal pressing hard in the final minute.
Scotland level it up with a try and a superb convertion from Colin Gregor sees Scotland go 12-10 ahead.
Tight game here as Scotland are being forced to work very hard in this second half. Portugal still lead 10-5.
Portugal lead Scotland 10-5. A try right on the whistle from Joao Lino from a quickly tapped penalty a metre out has given them the advantage.
Dioga Miranda hits back for Portugal after some patient passing in the build-up. Just over a couple of minutes to go to half-time and it's 5-5.
Scotland take the lead with a lovely step in midfield from Mark Robinson who scores under the posts having split the Portugese defence. Scotland take a 5-0 lead.
Scotland have won 15 of 25 matches against Portugal. They met last weekend in the pool stages with Scotland winning 19-17. Teams are ready to go.
How's that for a comeback!! Fiji besting the winners of last week's tournament England in the opener of the #USA7s #TeamFIJI
— Ratu (@Ratu) 09/02/2013 00:19
Next up, also in Pool A, it's Scotland v Portugal.
Fiji win it 26-17! A crucial try for Fiji from Benito Masilevu was scored with just 40 seconds to go to seal the win and England will rue a few too many missed tackles in that superb opening clash.
Great reply here from England who have come back into it with another try - it's John Brake and with just over two mins to go it's now 21-17. Great opening game here!
Great run from England replacement Sam Edgerley but he is hauled down just before the try-line. The tackle though is high and Raqamate of Fiji is yellow carded. Great chance for England here.
Great reply from England who have just scored out wide with a sprint and breakaway from Christian Lewis-Pratt. He missed the kick but it's now 21-10.
Into the second half here. The winners of last week's round in Wellington, England, need to hit back quickly here. The pitch here is quite narrow, and England have just hit their second restart out on the full.
Hahaha, they even have the USA7s hashtag on the field, lol! #USA7s
— Junior Isara (@Junior Isara) 09/02/2013 00:08
Fiji lead England here 21-5. A great finish from Samisoni Viriviri helped them to their second try with Fiji showcasing some great angles of running, and Viriviri then helped himself to another right on the final whistle, with a simple intercept and touch-down under the posts.
Dan Norton hits right back for England with a fine step and break and dots down out wide. Lewis-Pratt skews the kick so it's 7-5 to Fiji.
Great start for Fiji with Setefano Cakau racing bumping off a tackle and scoring under the posts. 7-0 lead for the Fijians.
England and Fiji are out on the field - here we go! The last time these sides met, was in South Africa in December with Fiji winning out 29-19 in the pool stages!
Let the games begin #USA7s
— Dorah Otieno (@Dorah Otieno) 08/02/2013 23:56
The stands are buzzing. #TeamKENYA fans showing their colors. Kenya team's warmed up. #USA7s officially kicks off in 15mins. #Letsdothis
— Kenya Rugby 24/7 (@Kenya Rugby 24/7) 08/02/2013 23:47
Just to remind you what's taking place today. Each side has two pool games today - kicking off with England v Fiji and Scotland v Portugal in Pool A.
Ten minutes to go. Some great tweets coming in from those of you tuning in from home and fans already in the stadium!
The England and Fiji teams for the opening game here have now been named - you can check them out HERE - the starters are in bold!
Happy to brave through the winds!! #USA7s
— Hannah Alterwitz (@Hannah Alterwitz) 08/02/2013 23:39
Today's pitch has a huge #USA7s sign painted on it - make sure you use that hashtag if you're using Twitter today and we'll include the best ones here!
Today's referees are out on the field warming up. It's a windy day here at the Sam Boyd Stadium as the crowd also start to come through the gates. Less than an hour to the opener here!
Gates are open - #USA7s Let's Go http://t.co/pa1fI0Yh
— USA Sevens Rugby (@USA Sevens Rugby) 08/02/2013 23:01
There are some exciting clashes in store today - here's a quick look at the pools and key line-ups.
To get yourselves in the mood - here's a great video with rugby's fastest player Carlin Isles, who will be home-town favourite today for hosts USA.
Hello and welcome to Las Vegas for round five of the HSBC Sevens World Series 2012/13! After a hugely exciting weekend in Wellington, we're expecting some superb action over the next three days. First up today it's England V Fiji!














