Australia

Men's Rugby: US Eliminated from Medal Contention, Loses to Fiji

Nate Ebner sprinted from almost halfway to score a try in the right corner to make it 24-19

A tumultuous group stage has resulted in pre-tournament favorites Fiji and New Zealand meeting in the rugby sevens quarterfinals, and Japan making an unlikely run to the playoffs at the Olympics. 

New Zealand was able to advance despite losing to Japan in a stunning upset earlier this week. That was because Fiji defeated the United States on Wednesday by enough points. 

The U.S. team did not advance. The team took Wednesday's match to the last minute when Nate Ebner sprinted from almost halfway to score a try in the right corner to make it 24-19, piling the pressure on Madison Hughes.

But the U.S. captain and goalkicker missed the conversion from out wide, leaving the margin at five points and meaning the Americans missed out by the slimmest of margins. 

In the other quarterfinals, Pool B winner South Africa will play No. 4 Australia — a rematch of their the last encounter in the group stage which the Australians won 12-5 — and Pool C winner Britain will play Argentina, and France plays Japan.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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