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Ireland Men Top Pool To Book LA Sevens Quarter-Final Spot

Andrew Smith breaks through to score the decisive try for Ireland in their opening pool game against Uruguay in Carson

Wet, stormy weather has been a key factor on the opening day of the HSBC Los Angeles Sevens, but Ireland (sponsored by TritonLake) coped well with the rain delays to top Pool B with three wins out of three.

Andrew Smith grabbed a late winner in a 7-0 triumph over Uruguay, while a stylish hat-trick of tries from Jordan Conroy – despite the surface water on the pitch – paved the way for a 22-0 victory over Canada.

James Topping’s men made sure they went unbeaten on day one, getting the better of second-ranked South Africa to win 14-5 and advance to the Cup quarter-finals as pool winners.

Ireland will battle it out with Australia in the last of tomorrow’s quarter-final clashes at Dignity Health Sports Park (kick-off 11.29am local time/7.29pm Irish time). The winners will face New Zealand or Great Britain.

Ireland scored first in the final Pool game against South Africa. An over the shoulder off load from skipper Harry McNulty put Dylan O’Grady through to run in and Billy Dardis duly added the extras. South Africa hit back from the kick off and Shilton Van Wyk powered over to leave it 7-5 to Ireland at the break.

The rain made handling difficult for both sides but Ireland kept their composure in the 2nd half and powerful run from Hugo Lennox set up McNulty for a pick and go. Using the conditions to his advantage the Ireland captain slid towards the line in the tackle and reached over to score. Dardis again added the two points.

It finished 14-5 despite strong South African pressure late in the 2nd half. Ireland go through unbeaten at the top of Pool B and will face Australia in the Quarter Finals.

Ireland opened their account with a 7-o win over Uruguay. A try from Andrew Smith and the Billy Dardis conversion the only score in the game. The Uruguyans went on to beat South Africa in their next game.

Next up was Canada and a Jordan Conroy hat-trick helped the boys in green to a 22-0 win. Smith also touched down again and Dardis added a conversion to leave them top of the Pool going into the final round of games as the rain continued to fall.