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On this day in 2003 the USA lost by a single point against Fiji. Played in Brisbane, Australia the fixture was the USA’s first match of Rugby World Cup 2003.
So well did the USA play that evening that they outscored Fiji by two tries to one. Riaan van Zyl and Kort Schubert both crossed for tries, the latter of which did so with time up. Flyhalf Mike Hercus then had the opportunity to win the match for the Eagles. His conversion sailed wide.
The missed conversion would be telling. It denied the USA of what would have been their biggest achievement in Rugby World Cup history. The 19-18 loss left the players devastated but they pushed hard in their remaining matches.
Ultimately the World Cup in Australia would be a success for the USA. The Eagles played well in all four matches, picking up an impressive 39-26 win over Japan.
It could have been two wins though and, arguably, ought to have been so. Api Naevo scored Fiji’s lone try against the Eagles. The remaining 14 points all game from the boot of Nicky Little.
Quite extraordinary to concede just one try against the masters of spontaneity but it was so. Fiji were backing-up from facing France in their opening match. An excellent French team conceded two tries. Scotland also conceded two tries while Fiji scored five against the Japanese.
The USA’s impressive defensive arrangement was built on an outstanding pack. In the squad was a young Todd Clever. So good was the Eagles flankers at the time that Clever would receive no game time. The back-row trio of Kort Schubert, Dave Hodges, and Dan Lyle may well be the greatest in the history of USA Rugby. They were joined by other outstanding forwards including Alec Parker, Luke Gross, Dan Dorsey, and Mike MacDonald.
