The USA’s 33-0 win over Jamaica at the NACRA 7s championship was the first international 7s game for several of the Eagles, including 24-year-old Luke Hume. With three USA 15s caps to his credit, Luke Hume is aspiring toward the Rugby World Cup Sevens team and looked at home during his first 7s tour.

“As an opening performance it was good,” Hume said. “We only had a short run-out – the guys have been here since Wednesday, but I flew in yesterday – so I expect we’ll be better in the second game.”

The USA controlled much of the 14 minutes, but Jamaica showed no shortage of energy or eagerness in the breakdown – something for which the Eagles need to be better prepared.

“They were big, quick and had good engines,” Hume said. “They didn’t seem like they were too tired, as opposed to us.

“[USA 7s coach Alex] Magelby was looking at me to come in more on my third-man defense in support,” Hume continued. “That’s pretty much the case for all of us. We’ve just got to push, work a little harder. That’ll come when we get a little more familiar and get all the kinks out.”

The USA will only have their match against St. Vincent & The Grenadines to fine-tune their game, as Pool A only has three teams, unlike the four-team pools B and C.

“I don’t see a down side,” Hume said about only two games today. “We get to end early, give our legs a rest, do a pool session. Come tomorrow, we’re going to feel fresh. Three games might take a toll on other teams.

“But we’re taking one game at a time,” Hume said as he entertained thoughts of Sunday. “We don’t know anything about St. Vincent and The Grenadines. They could have anything and that’s dangerous. We’ve got to be switched on.  We’ll have to make some adjustments, though. The ball’s quite slippery because of the heat, so we’ll have to keep it a little closer and then spread it out as we get it to our wings.”

The USA and Canada have established themselves in another tier as the rest of the field, and so spectators should expect the rivals to hash it out in tomorrow’s final.

“I don’t like Canada, so I look forward to playing them anytime I can,” Hume said.

Stay tuned for game and player interviews following the Eagles’ final match.