US Eagles take the lead in WC qualifier

The United States captured the opening match of a two-leg World Cup qualifier, by beating Canada 12-6 at Blackbaud Stadium on Saturday.

The Canadians made the Americans work for the victory as the teams now head to Edmonton, Alberta for game two on July 11 at Ellerslie Rugby Park.

The US holds a six-point advantage in the home and away series with the winning team getting a berth in the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

American kicker Mike Hercus put the match out of reach in the 77th minute with a straight shot from 35 metres out to round out the scoring.

Hercus, who kicked for all of the US Eagles’ points with one drop-goal and three penalties, was named man-of-the-match.

“I just happen to be the kicker,” said the flyhalf. “The forwards did all the hard work. It was a tough game and they played very well.

“We only had five guys on the team, including myself, who had ever beaten Canada before and of course this is our biggest game of the year. This is about as good as it gets.”

Canadian coach Kieran Crowley said the Americans deserved the win.

“They just out-passioned us,” said Crowley after the match.

“That’s what this series is about and today we just weren’t good enough.”

US coach Eddie O’Sullivan expects Canada to come out with plenty of spark in the second game at home.

“I am happy to have those six points in my pocket but we are going into Canada’s backyard now and it is going to be another dogfight, you can be sure about that,” he said.

Both teams came out swinging despite the sweltering South Carolina heat, but with the force of a patriotic home crowd behind them the USA held strong for the win as a result of dominant play in the line-out and excellent play throughout the backline.

The USA won five of its seven line-outs in the first half alone and successfully grabbed seven out of nine in the second.

“The forwards played exceptionally well,” the US Eagles coach, O’Sullivan, said.

“They built the platform for Hercus and he executed. Canada is always a very tough competitor and this was a hard fought match. But, I thought these boys deserved this victory.

“We missed a couple of opportunities, but a win is a win and I’m really happy we could get the job done at home. Now, we just need to repeat it next week.”

The first half showcased nearly balanced possession and hard-hitting defence from each side, which held the scoreline in a 0-0 deadheat until the 34th minute.

With some quick-stepping from its backline the USA gained headway into Canadian territory, Hercus snapped the scoring drought and successfully connected on his second drop-goal attempt to go ahead 3-0.

Inside 37 minutes, Canada fullback James Pritchard evened the score, effortlessly slotting one through following an offsides penalty against the USA.

Despite aggressive play from both sides, neither could get the ball to touch down in the end goal, and the first half was rounded out in a battle of the boot between Hercus and Pritchard. Both connected once more before the close of the half to send the teams to the lockers stuck at 6-6.

In the second half, stiff defence from the USA continued to keep the Canadian attack at bay in another hard-fought 40 minutes of play Hercus’s mighty boot held steady and grew the Eagles lead to 9-6 inside minute 45 with an easy chip shot up the centre. However, Canada was not ready to give up just yet.

The Canadians caught a big chance inside 61 minutes on a chip ahead that segued into a scrumdown in their favour, just five meters from the try line.

Pinned against their own goal, the Eagles erected a human wall and defended ferociously to hold Canada out of the try zone for nearly five minutes until Hercus kicked to clear the ball to midfield. Despite impressive manoeuvring from the US Eagles backline, handling errors proved costly for the Eagles as they surged closer to the Canadian end.

The USA looked to score on a great team effort that saw the ball cycle from Alec Parker out to captain Todd Clever, who charged closer before dishing out to Hercus and Takudzwa Ngwenya. When the ball eventually found John van der Giessen, it was knocked loose.

Soon after, it was Kevin Swiryn’s turn to split the Canadian defence with a great spin move before hitting Mike Petri up the middle, but the ball went loose again and turnovers put the ball back down to the U.S. side where Canada got a chance to tie it all up with less than six minutes left to play.

The USA was dealt a penalty for not rolling away, and the Canadians boldly opted to attempt a kick from a tough outside angle from about 30 meters out. However, it soared just wide, leaving the Eagles with the upper hand as the time wound down. 

Propelled by Louis Stanfill, who plowed straight through the Canada defence and up to midfield before dishing off to Paul Emerick to gain more ground, the USA made one last attempt toward the try zone. However, the Eagles were held out through several phases until a penalty inside the game’s final minute sealed the team’s ultimate victory. Hercus notched an easy chip shot through the posts to leave the tally at 12-6 at the whistle.

The winner of the North American qualification series will claim the Americas 1 spot in Pool A of the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand and face the host nation, as well as France, Tonga and the top Asian qualifier.

The loser moves on to face Uruguay, the winner of the South American qualification playoff, in a two game series to determine the Americas 2 qualifying side, which will take its place in Pool C of the World Cup against the likes of Australia, Ireland, Italy and the Europe 2 qualifier.

Scorers:

For the United States:
Pens: Hercus 3
DG: Hercus

For Canada:
Pens: Pritchard 2

Teams:

United States: 15 Chris Wyles, 14 Takudzwa Ngwenya, 13 Paul Emerick, 12 Roland Suniula, 11 Kevin Swiryn, 10 Mike Hercus, 9 Tim Usasz, 8 Nic Johnson, 7 Todd Clever (captain), 6 Louis Stanfill, 5 Hayden Smith,  4 John Van der Giessen, 3 Shawn Pittman, 2 Chris Biller, 1 Mate Moeakiola.

Canada: 15 James Pritchard, 14 Matt Evans, 13 DTH van der Merwe, 12 Ryan Smith, 11 Justin Mensah-Coker, 10 Ander Monro, 9  Ed Fairhurst, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Adam Kleeberger, 6 Jebb Sinclair, 5 Tyler Hotson, 4 Mike Burak, 3 Dan Pletch, 2 Pat Riordan, 1 Kevin Tkachuk.

Referee: Alan Lewis (IRFU)