The USA has moved closer to securing their spot in the SVNS Series’ Grand Final in Madrid, thanks to a decisive 33-14 victory over Fiji at Singapore’s National Stadium.
Seven men’s teams have already booked their place in the winner-takes-all event at the home of Spanish football giants Atletico Madrid, but there are a few other sides battling it out for one last spot.
Spain have been impressive recently but they seem to be an outside chance of making the top eight. Instead, it’s likely to come down to either the USA or Great Britain who are both in Pool C.
19-5 win, but before that, the United States send a message to the rest of the SVNS Series with a relentless 19-point win over two-time Olympic gold medallists Fiji.
With sweat still dripping down his face, the USA’s Lucas Lacamp still offered a smile when saying “we always want to beat Fiji” before diving deeper into the importance of that first victory over the traditional sevens powerhouse.
“We know how well we can play, and even that game we made some mistakes, me included. We can always get better, we always strive to be better and strive to get as perfect as we can,” Lacamp told RugbyPass.
But you know again, it’s a good start but we’ve got to keep the momentum ging.
“With this Series, every game is basically a final,” he added. “We haven’t verbally talked about it (but) we’re aware of it, we’re aware of the stakes at hand. We don’t want to be in that bottom four.
“It’s great that we have GB in our group who are close behind us. We’ve just got to keep building in the next games.”
One moment that really summed up the desperation and intent the Eagles played with on Friday afternoon involved Lacamp’s effort on both sides of the ball early on.
Lacamp, who hails from Hong Kong, China, raced back on defense to prevent a Fiji try, but Pilipo Bukanyaro managed to score within the first minute. However, just seconds later, the 22-year-old was on the other end of the field, securing the USA’s first score at the Singapore tournament.
The USA’s victory continued with additional tries from Captain Kevon Williams, two-time Sevens Player of the Year Perry Baker, Aaron Cummings, and Malacchi Esdale, culminating in a remarkably one-sided win.
Reflecting on the game, Lacamp said, “It was tough to take. Rugby Sevens is a game of chances. Small errors can make a big difference. If you miss an opportunity, you have to seize the next one.
“Thankfully, we have great fitness and amazing coaches who prepare us for these moments. In the final moments of the game, it’s all about holding on and staying focused when it counts.
“You have to give it your all—no half measures. As you saw, they scored, and then we quickly answered. When chances come, you have to grab them.”
