However, fortunately the writer of the Your Scrumhalf Connection blog has flown to California to watch the event, and has published the scores of the first day's games (except - at the moment - for the final match of the day).
The tournament has been particularly disappointing for the two Asian teams, who will both be playing in the World Cup, though China ran New Zealand close (14-12) - how they finished only 7th I have no idea.
P | W | F | A | Diff | |
England | 3 | 3 | 70 | 7 | +63 |
NZ Maori | 3 | 3 | 72 | 24 | +48 |
USA 1 | 3 | 2 | 66 | 17 | +49 |
Canada | 3 | 2 | 55 | 32 | +23 |
USA 2 | 3 | 1 | 27 | 37 | -10 |
Japan | 4 | 5 | 142 | -137 | |
China | 3 | 17 | 61 | -44 |
England's day began with a 36-0 win over Japan, followed by a narrow 15-7 win over USA 2, before a more convincing 19-0 win over USA 1. After a 36-0 win over Japan, a 22-12 victory against Canada, and 14-12 over China, New Zealand finished runners-up, giving us semi finals of England v Canada, and New Zealand v USA 1.
The semi-finals and 5th/6th play-off were played at the end of Friday's session. Somehow or other Japan and USA 2 met for the 5th place play-off, USA 2 winning 17-7.
England then took on Canada in the first semi-final, running out winners by 29-0 - no real surprise there. However, the same could not be said of the last game of the day, USA 1 beating New Zealand 12-0. And so tomorrow's final will see England play USA 1, while Canada take on New Zealand for thirdplace.
What does this mean for the World Cup? Presumably that England are even stronger favourites than we ever suspected, the Asian teams are far weaker, USA look a good bet for at least a semi-final place, and New Zealand still look shakey and might not even take their expected place in the final.
The San Deigo final takes place at 11.01pm tonight, our time.
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