2007 USA Sevens


The 2007 USA Sevens was a rugby sevens tournament held on February 10 and February 11, 2007 in the United States at 44,500 capacity Petco Park in San Diego, California. The USA Sevens is part of the IRB Sevens World Series. Although the 2006–07 season is the eighth of the Sevens World Series, this was only the fourth edition of the USA Sevens, which began in 2004 as a part of the 2003-04 series. This was the first time for the event in San Diego with past editions being held at The Home Depot Center in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson.
The overall winners of the event were Fiji.
American referee Dana Teagarden became the first woman ever to referee a senior-level men's international in any version of rugby union when she officiated the France-Chile match. Teagarden was also referee for the Bowl final, making her the first woman to referee a men's competition final in any version of rugby union.

The Format

As with all normal events in the IRB Sevens, the participating teams are divided into four pools of four. The group winners and second-placed teams progress to the Cup and Plate competition. The third and fourth-placed teams progress to the Bowl and Shield competitions. Seeding is determined by finishes in the last six competitions in the IRB Sevens. Wins are three points, draws two, losses one, with no points being awarded for a no-show.

Festival

The event is also noted for the large festival that takes place alongside the event. In 2007, it included a waterslide, a beer garden, food courts, skills area, face painting, cigar tents, concerts and a world class coaches’ symposium. Prizes, big and small, were added attractions. This is intended to be not only a rugby event but a big, fun party. The idea is to lure people into the event for the festival and get them interested in rugby union.

Tickets

The window of opportunity for ticket buyers was open for 60 days. After that time, tickets were sold on a first come, best-available basis. Blocks of tickets of 25 or more during this time were discounted 10%. A special "Festival Pass" entitled holders to unlimited access to the Festival and Tournament for all three days.
Similar to Hong Kong Stadium's south stands, Petco Park hosted a "Fun Zone" in the right field bleachers. Access to this area was granted on the basis of best costumes, country displays of team support, "hot looks", and dancing ability.

Pool stages

Pool A

Pool B

Pool C

Pool D

Knockout rounds

  • 1/4 final Bowl – Argentina 17 – 10 Portugal
  • 1/4 final Bowl – Chile 12 – 31 Kenya
  • 1/4 final Bowl – USA 7 – 14 Canada
  • 1/4 final Bowl – Tonga 22 – 5 West Indies
  • 1/4 final Cup – Fiji 26 – 21 South Africa
  • 1/4 final Cup – New Zealand 19 – 7 England
  • 1/4 final Cup – Australia 7 – 10 France
  • 1/4 final Cup – Samoa 34 – 0 Scotland
  • SF Shield – Portugal 42 – 10 Chile
  • SF Shield – USA 17 – 0 West Indies
  • SF Bowl – Argentina 22 – 5 Kenya
  • SF Bowl – Canada 10 – 24 Tonga
  • SF Plate – South Africa 21 – 14 England
  • SF Plate – Australia 7 – 17 Scotland
  • SF Cup – Fiji 19 – 10 New Zealand
  • SF Cup – France 0 – 38 Samoa
  • Final Shield – Portugal 5 – 26 USA
  • Final Bowl – Argentina 17 – 22 Tonga
  • Final Plate – South Africa 28 – 19 Scotland
  • Final Cup – Fiji 38 – 24 Samoa

    Round 4 table


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