Posted on 12/04/2015 5:25:39 PM PST by naturalman1975
AMERICA has produced one of the biggest upsets in rugby sevens to beat New Zealand in the group stages of the Dubai Sevens.
In a fairytale finish to the biggest moment in American rugby, goalkicker Madison Hughes had to slot a sideline conversion after the siren to give the USA its first ever win over the New Zealand Rugby Sevens team.
After beating Portugal 45-14 but losing to France 26-21, the Americans looked destined for the consolation round when they trailed New Zealand 12-7 as the buzzer sounded.
But Perry Baker then scored his second try of the match, breaking two tackles and jinking past three defenders on his way to the corner to draw the scores level before captain Hughes stepped up give USA an unbelievable 14-12 win.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
It is also going to be an Olympic event at next year's Rio Olympics.
As a rugby fan, the US win was impressive - especially because of the way it happened. The US gained control of the final play of the match literally during the last second of regular play - to have a chance to win, they had to make that last run without a single error and Perry Baker did it. And that just put them into a position where winning was possible. Madison Hughes then had to make the conversion kick from just about the hardest position possible.
I know it's a minor sport in the US, but I want to be clear, this wasn't a fluke. The US was playing a class New Zealand team that played well. And they were able to take it right to the line, and get across that line.
USA beat NZ in rugby? impossible
BTTT
Give blood—play rugby.
I think sevens is such a cool adaption of the regular game. Instead of 15 players per side it is only seven—but it is still splayed on the regular sized field—really opens up the game. Instead of two 40-minute halves, it is two 7-minute halves with a very short half time, so instead of spending an afternoon watching one game, you get to see several. The final scores are about the same as a regular rugby match, but the scores happen much more quickly.
The fact that we beat the All Blacks is remarkable.
Admit I do not follow rugby very closely, but know enough about NZ's All Blacks to think they are damn near unbeatable.
It’s sevens. It a abomination. It’s not rugby anymore than rugby league.
Rugby Union IV is quite figment than VII. VII’s is for chicks, backs and little kids.
Let’s not get to excited, we got our puds drilled in the recent world cup.
USA Rugby, the organization is a disaster.
But good for them, it’s a small stepping stone.
goalkicker Madison Hughes
This is Hughes.
I think set play of line out’s and scrums are one of the most fundamental aspects of the game. As a one time inside center, than 8 and flank, and now in my forties I aged my way to the front row as loose head, 7 is warm up to training. No one takes it seriously except the sissy backs.
I love playing in sevens tournaments. You get to run into people at high speeds and score tries. But the scrums suck, there is no actual rucks or mails and the line out are pedestrian.
Rugby league is for chimney sweepers and cannery row workers.
Rugby Union is the only rugby. Ever.
A Prop’s Testimony to a Back
Son, in this world there are scrums. And in those scrums you need props. Are you willing to do it? As a prop, I have more responsibility than you can ever fathom.
You use words like “drunk” and “out of shape”; those words are the very backbone of a life I spent drinking and partying in, and you use them as a punchline.
You weep for your wings and centers, and curse the prop forward. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of knowing that the front row, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, wins these games you play. Truth? You can’t handle the truth, because deep down in places you don’t talk about in your selection meetings, you want me in that scrum; you need me in that scrum.
I neither have the time nor inclination to explain myself to a back who scores on the very blanket of ball retention that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just bought me a beer and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you crawl into that scrum and get dirty. Either way, I don’t give a damn who you think is responsible.
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