Clinical Ireland end USA’s winning streak

A second-string Ireland put in a clinical performance to come away with a 57-14 win over the USA in Dublin. The game was competitive in the first half, but the Eagles could only hold out for so long and their lack of experience at the elite level showed in a one-sided second stanza.

Ireland struck first, and quickly, with a Rhys Ruddock break opening the door for Andrew Conway to speed away inside three minutes. Far from an ideal start and the USA had to regroup.

The Eagles stayed composed and worked into scoring position. Will Magie’s boot let him down on a penalty goal. He would find his mark on his next attempt from the tee, a try conversion after Joe Taufete’e bounced off tackles and the deck to score the leveler.

Conway got his double after quick hands found the winger in space in the right corner. Again the USA responded however, and through the pack. A driving maul was hauled down by Iain Henderson and the referee awarded both the penalty try and a yellow card for the Lions tourist.

The USA could not take any further advantage of the overlap, however, and instead it was Ireland who would tack on 10 points before the break. Joey Carbery landed a penalty goal and then Jack Conan broke clear after Shaun Davies failed to find touch on a clearing kick.

There would be no respite for the Eagles in the second half. Taufete’e was knocked out in a tackle early and the loss of their talisman reverberated through the side. His physicality in the loose and bulk in the front row were sorely missed with Ireland now gaining a significant advantage at the scrum.

As the tackle count rose for the USA line breaks were inevitable and the wear began to show just after the 50 minute mark. Tadhg Beirne got the ball rolling with a try from in close and it was followed by a picture-perfect cross-kick from Ross Byrne to Stuart McCloskey.

There would be time for three more Irish scores. Another looked to have been created by Conway, his chip and regather putting Luke McGrath over, but the TMO intervened having spotted a forward pass earlier in the move. Conway himself would get his hat trick with singles coming from Quinn Roux and John Ryan to bring up the final whistle.

The USA’s test winning streak ends at nine and despite the loss they will take credit from the first 40 minutes. Inaccuracy cost them in the first half and lack of exposure at the top level was their undoing in the second. Their World Cup run-in continues in the Americas Rugby Championship, with many lessons learned at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

 

SCORING

IRELAND 57
Tries – A. Conway 3 (3’, 16’, 76’), J. Conan (33’), T. Beirne (52’), S. McCloskey (59’), Q. Roux (66’), J. Ryan (80′)
Cons – J. Carbery 7/8 (4’, 17’, 34’, 53’, 67’, 77’, 80′)
Pens – J. Carbery 1/1 (26’)
Yellow cards – I. Henderson (23’)

USA 14
Tries – J. Taufete’e (12’), Penalty try (23’)
Cons – W. Magie 1/1 (13’)
Pens – W. Magie 0/1

 

TEAMS

IRELAND
1 David Kilcoyne (17 Cian Healy 60’), 2 Niall Scannell (16 Rob Herring 57’), 3 Finlay Bealham (18 John Ryan 47’), 4 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Iain Henderson (19 Quinn Roux 57’), 6 Rhys Ruddock (capt.), 7 Jordi Murphy, 8 Jack Conan (20 Josh van der Flier 67’), 9 John Cooney (21 Luke McGrath 60’), 10 Joey Carbery, 11 Darren Sweetnam (22 Ross Byrne 27’), 12 Stuart McCloskey, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Andrew Conway, 15 Will Addison (23 Sam Arnold HT)

USA
1 Titi Lamositele (17 Chance Wenglewski 55’), 2 Joe Taufete’e (16 Dylan Fawsitt 44’), 3 Paul Mullen (18 Dino Waldren 60’), 4 Greg Peterson (19 Samu Manoa 67’), 5 Nick Civetta, 6 John Quill (20 David Tameilau 68’), 7 Hanco Germishuys, 8 Cam Dolan, 9 Shaun Davies (21 Ruben de Haas 60’), 10 Will Magie, 11 Marcel Brache, 12 Paul Lasike, 13 Bryce Campbell, 14 Blaine Scully (Capt.), 15 Will Hooley

Not used: 22 Gannon Moore, 23 Ryan Matyas

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZRU)
Assistants: Nic Berry (ARU) & Marius Mitrea (FIR)
TMO: Ian Davies (WRU)