USA wins shield. Photo by IRB.

After a rough start to the first day – a 21-12 loss to England and 36-5 thrashing by Wales – the U.S. Eagles did enough in the last game to qualify for a Bowl quarterfinal appearance. In that game, the Eagles broke away from a plucky Cook Island team to win 19-14.

Day Two did not begin well, with the U.S. falling to Scotland and being dropped to the Shield contest – and a date against their arch-rival Canada. But the Eagles looked like they were finally gelling, beating Canada and then France in the final of the Shield competition.

The silverware should give the Eagles some good confidence as they head to the Los Vegas Sevens and a potentially massive NBC TV audience, something that has never before happened. The Eagles acquitted themselves well in Wellington and were popular with the fans.