Dubai, UAE - USA Women’s coach Ric Suggit was last night telling his team about how Fiji won the Gold Coast Sevens a week ago. In pool play they lost 28-5 against New Zealand. Three games later, they were facing the same opposition and beat by quite a handsome score – 26-12 – to win the inaugural tournament in that venue.

Suggit knows very well how to reach his players and has been telling them to focus on the positives and not linger too much on their loss 0-31 loss against England. They did beat South Africa 22-10 in the first ever game in the IRB Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup and then fought hard to overcome a spirited Chinese side.

“I am telling them to grasp the moment as they will always be the team that played in the first Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup,” said Canadian-born Suggit. “This is an incredible experience for them, being here in Dubai, enjoying the atmosphere and getting ready to play in the semi-final of an international tournament with so many talented teams and players.”

USA will play against neighbors Canada, after they topped their pool beating Brazil 31-0, Spain 19-14 and Australia 14-7. The Australians will then play England and either side will play USA as they are to play two games. If things go well, then it will be the final; if not, a third place play-off will give Suggit’s girls another game to further enhance their rugby knowledge.

“I am hoping they will all take a lot from this trip. It is certainly a great one so far,” he concluded.

Day One Dubai Women International 7s Scores: 
USA 22-10 South Africa
England 26-15 China
Australia 12-5 Spain
Canada 31-0 Brazil
USA 14-7 China
England 22-19 South Africa
Australia 40-0 Brazil
Canada 19-14 Spain
South Africa 28-14 China
USA 0-31 England
Australia 7-14 Canada
Brazil 0-19 Spain

Day 2 Schedule (with PT/ET times)

Plate SF - Spain v China
 11pm Friday/2am Sat
and Brazil v South Africa 11:22pm Fri/ 2:22am Sat

Cup SF - Canada v USA 2:52am /5:52am Sat
England v Australia 3:14am / 6:14am Sat