Eagles snap losing streak

The USA Men’s National Rugby Team won its first test match of the season and snapped its six-game losing streak by beating Georgia 31-13 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City on Sunday.

The USA was playing for the Bowl (fifth place) in the Churchill Cup tournament and was looking to walk away with their first tournament victory since 2005. More importantly, by securing an 18-point margin of victory over the 15th-ranked Georgia squad, the 19th-ranked Eagles will definitely improve their international ranking.

Also significant is the fact that the USA gains a bit of confidence heading into the IRB Rugby World Cup Qualifier series against Canada in early July. Canada lost to the Argentina Jaguars in the third place match, 29-44.

“Nothing replaces confidence,” USA’s fullback Chris Wyles said following the match. “We need these kinds of games and it’s been a long time coming. It feels great.”

USA head coach Eddie O’Sullivan reiterated the sentiment, saying: “It was very important to win today. Not only did we improve our international ranking, but its helps us gain a bit of momentum going into our preparations for Canada. I was happy to get the result we did. These guys earned it.”

The USA side started strong, as always, scoring the first try of the match just eight minutes in as Todd Clever executed the quick lineout to Tim Usasz and then pushed him in for the try. Mike Hercus converted and just a minute later also hit a penalty to put the USA up 10-0.

Unfortunately the U.S. missed a few key opportunities as the first half rolled on and Georgia made up some ground, scoring a penalty kick quickly thereafter and a converted try around the 30 minute mark to tie the game at 10 by break.

“I think you could tell we were a bit tired as the game went on,” O’Sullivan said. “The game really could have gone either way at half, but the team showed a lot of composure and we ended with a good gutsy display of rugby.”

The U.S. held Georgia to only one penalty in the second half and dominated possession, scoring two tries and converting three penalty kicks in just over 10 minutes.

Paul Emerick kicked off the scoring in the 42nd minute as he was able to touch down a loose ball near the end of the try zone. Hercus converted and the U.S. never looked back.

Hercus recorded four for seven penalties on the day, bringing the score to 26-13 by the 64th minute.

Colin Hawley wrapped up the scoring for the U.S. after the ball touched several hands and hooker Chris Biller passed just in time to give Hawley the space he needed to dive in the corner.  The U.S. almost put down another at full time, but after the film review was considered a knock-on at the whistle.

“We have two weeks before we play (Canada) in Charleston and with five games in three weeks it has taken its toll,” O’Sullivan added. “We need these next two weeks to recover and really turn all our focus to Canada.”

While Argentina took the Plate, the Churchill Cup title went to Ireland ‘A’ after they overtook England and gave the Saxons a 49-22 beating to win it all.

The Churchill Cup concludes its 2009 campaign and USA Rugby will likely build on its success in the Denver metro area for years to come.

USA
Tries: Tim Usasz, Paul Emerick, Colin Hawley
Con: Mike Hercus 2
Pen: Mike Hercus 4 

Georgia
Tries: Alexander Todua
Con: Merab Kvirkashvili
Pen: Merab Kvirkashvili 2