USA Make it two-from-two in ARC

The USA made it two-from-two in the Americas Rugby Championship, downing Brazil in Texas this evening. The 51-3 bonus point victory sets up an intriguing round three fixture against Canada next weekend. A strong start from the home side saw them on top in quick time. PRO Rugby star Spike Davis made the step up to international rugby, crossing in the 4th minute. Scored down the left flank, the try was a warning sign for the visitors.

A second try alms came in the 10th minute. A break from John Quill down the right wing resulted in Nate Augspurger being tackled two meters short. The USA won a penalty but were unable to convert it into points. Brazil was able to kick clear but the Eagles remained on attack. A penalty in mid-field saw Will Magie making up for missing his opening shot.

Brazil gained composure in response, getting the better of the Eagles ins scrums. A first opportunity for points came in the 21st minute. Inside center Moisés Duque lined up a penalty attempt but was unable to capitalize. With Luiz Vieira yellow carded earlier the miss was all the more costly.

Minutes later Maggie had an attempt from in front. The Eagles flyhalf missed what was a simple opportunity. It mattered not as individual brilliance from JP Eloff gave the USA their second try. Eloff broke clear through the defense and ran down the left flank, beating two additional defenders.

Leading 13-0 at the break, a third try from the Eagles underlined their superiority. Crossing was flanker Tony Lamborn, doing so from the base of a ruck. Magie failed to land the conversion. In doing so his kicking stats continued to raise eyebrows. His accuracy stood at 1 from 5 attempts.

By way of reply Duque landed a penalty from half way. The 60th minute goal got Brazil on the board. It would, however, be Brazil’s only score of the evening.

Many European-based professional Eagles were not freed up to face Brazil. Cam Dolan was an exception and he came on in the second half. Dolan’s 59th-minute try put the result beyond doubt and also gave the USA the bonus point. Goal kicking woes did not end, though, as Shaun Davies’ goal attempt was wide.

The inclusion of Ben Cima ensured a kick at goal would find its target. Cima successfully converted Lamborn’s second try. It came in the 68th minute against a tiring Tupis side with Augspurger making the initial break.

Augspurger’s good work continued minutes later. A quick tap-and-go from inside the Eagles’ half saw him run 50 meters before off-loading to an unmarked Mike Te’o. The USA fullback scored in the left corner. Despite the difficulty Cima made no mistake.

The flood of second half tries did not end there. An intercept from center Bryce Campbell saw the Indiana Hoosiers mid-fielder scoring a second try in as many test matches. With time up Peter Tiberio also got his name on the scoresheet.

 

USA 51
Tries – S. Davis (3’), J. Eloff (28’), T. Lamborn 2 (44’, 67’), C. Dolan (57’), M. Te’o (73’), B. Campbell (76’), P. Tiberio (80’)
Cons – B. Cima 4 (68’, 74’, 77’, 80’)
Pens – W. Magie (13’)

BRAZIL 3
Pens – M. Duque (49’)
Yellow cards – L. Vieira (15’)

 

TEAMS

USA
1 Ben Tarr (18 Anthony Purpura HT), 2 James Hilterbrand (capt.) (16 Peter Malcolm 59’), 3 Dino Waldren (17 Chris Baumann HT), 4 Nate Brakeley, 5 Nick Civetta, 6 John Quill (20 Todd Clever 62’), 7 Tony Lamborn, 8 Al McFarland (19 Cam Dolan 52’), 9 Shaun Davies (23 Deion Mikesell 71’), 10 Will Magie (21 Ben Cima 59’), 11 Nate Augspurger, 12 JP Eloff, 13 Bryce Campbell, 14 Spike Davis (22 Peter Tiberio 59’), 15 Mike Te’o

BRAZIL
1 Jonatas Paulo (17 Pedro Bengaló 36’), 2 Yan Rosetti, 3 Wilton Rebolo (18 Caíque Silva 59’), 4 Luiz Vieira (16 Daniel Danielewicz 70’), 5 Lucas Piero (19 Diego López 45’), 6 João Luiz da Ros (20 Arthur Bergo HT), 7 André Arruda, 8 Nick Smith (capt.), 9 Matheus Cruz (21 Beukes Cremer 72’), 10 Josh Reeves, 11 Stefano Giantorno (23 Guilherme Coghetto 53’), 12 Moisés Duque, 13 Felipe Sancery (22 Luan Smanio 69’), 14 De Wet van Niekerk, 15 Daniel Sancery

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Pablo De Luca (UAR)
Assistants: Scott Green (USAR) & Jim Rogers (USAR)

 

Attendance: 6,091