MACCABI USA RUGBY: WINNING 7s GOLD!

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.

The USA Maccabiah Games rugby team will start their 15s tournament against Canada on July 21, but already have gold, as they defeated Israel 17-14 in the final of the rugby 7s event Wednesday in Tel Aviv. This is the first rugby gold for the USA in what is dubbed the Jewish Olympics since 1997, when they beat South Africa for the 15s title.

The accomplishment was made all the more impressive due to the fact that the USA’s best 7s player, current Eagle Zack Test, was unable to play due to injury. Former USA 7s player Dallen Stanford, who captained the squad, was named tournament MVP. This is the first year that 7s has been competed in the Maccabiah Games. The USA has a strong team, but so does South Africa and Great Britain, and Israel looked better than they have ever looked in the 7s tournament. 

The USA has won the Gold Medal in Rugby 7s in the Maccabiah Games in Israel. The USA, which started the day 0-1-1 after tying South Africa and losing to Israel, made the Gold Medal game by defeating Great Britain 35-0. That set up a final against 3-0 Israel, who looked exceptionally fit and powerful in allowing only one try in the first three games. But the USA squad looked capable of scoring at any time, and surged down the wing in the opening moments. After keeping the ball in the Israel end for a time, the USA put captain Dallen Stanford over the line for a try and a 5-0 lead. Israel came right back with a nicely-taken weakside move off a scrum. Israel led 7-5. That’s how the half ended. The USA had chances to score, but knocked the ball on at crucial moments. In the second half, the Americans looked far more relaxed against a very physical Israel team. A brilliant long-range movement put Joel Cohen over under the posts. Taylor Howden’s kick made it 12-7. Then a turnover by the USA defense put Wille Rudman in at the corner to make it 17-7. But Israel replied, against punishing a knock-on in the USA end and scoring from a scrum. That made it 17-14 with time left. Again the USA knocked on in their half. But good defense forced a turnover, and a high tackle penalty against Israel gave the Americans the chance to kick to touch. They did, got a free kick at that lineout, and kicked to touch to end the game. USA 17 Israel 14. 

It was a superb effort by Israel, who shut out both South Africa and Great Britain. They were fit, physical, and quick, but the USA showed a little more rugby acumen, led by tournament MVP Dallen Stanford, and that was the difference. 

South Africa defeated Great Britain 19-12 for the bronze. 

Tries: Taylor Howden, Kevin Swiryn 

Con: Taylor Howden 

Try: Taylor Howden 

Tries: Dallen Stanford (2), Kevin Swiryn (3) 

Con: Taylor Howden (4), Dallen Stanford 

USA finished 1-1-1, good enough for 2nd behind Israel. Top two play for Gold. 

Tries: Dallen Stanford, Joel Cohen, Willie Rudman 

Con: Taylor Howden