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AJ MacGinty’s penalty kick on the last play of the game sealed a 13-10 win for the USA over Samoa in the second round of the Pacific Nations Cup. It was a fortunate victory for the Eagles who otherwise struggled during the second half amidst windy and humid conditions in Suva.
The game began at a fast pace with the USA first to put points on the board. Poor defense from a midfield scrum gave Martin Iosefo plenty of room around the outside. The cover was there to prevent the try but an offside penalty resulted in an easy three points from the boot of MacGinty.
Samoa responded quickly with a well-worked try. After the lineout drive put the defense on the back foot they went left, then back to the middle. Alapati Leuia took an inside ball from AJ Alatimu, the post defense too slow coming across and the winger sped in under the posts. AJ Alatimu tacked on two easy points.
From the restart the Manu couldn’t clear their lines. Iosefo nearly touched down after MacGinty stabbed a grubber through that just beat the winger to the dead ball line. The pressure stayed on and Samoa conceded penalties to give away an attacking lineout. After a few phases it was MacGinty who spotted a half-gap to score a try, converting his own for a 10-7 lead.
Points would prove desperately hard to come by from there on out. Samoa had a big call go against them just before halftime. Johnny Vaili knocked down Iosefo’s pass with his boot and regathered with a clear run to the line. Unfortunately a miscommunication between the sideline official and Nigel Owens caused the referee to blow his whistle for what he thought was a knock-on. After a brief discussion he could do nothing but apologise and award a scrum to Samoa as the Eagles counted their lucky stars.
The second half could only be described as an arm wrestle. Neither side were able to break free. A steady stream of replacements, handling errors, and wayward tactical kicking also took their toll on continuity. It wouldn’t be until the 73rd minute when Henry Taefu sent over a penalty to even the score.
To their credit, the Eagles kept their composure and their forwards earned a penalty well within kicking range. Captain Blaine Scully had no hesitation in pointing to the uprights, and MacGinty duly took the three points to bring up full-time.
With two wins from two matches, the USA now have a chance to clinch the PNC title in a neutral-venue clash against Japan in Suva next Saturday. Samoa will also stay put and will face hosts Fiji in the second game of the double-header.
SCORING
SAMOA 10
Tries – A. Leiua (6’)
Cons – A. Alatimu 1/1 (7’)
Pens – H. Taefu 1/1 (73’)
USA 13
Tries – A. MacGinty (19’)
Cons – A. MacGinty 1/1 (20’)
Pens – A. MacGinty 2/2 (3’, 80’)
TEAMS
SAMOA
1 Jordan Lay (17 Logovi’i Mulipola 56’), 2 Seilala Lam (16 Elia Elia 50’), 3 James Lay (18 Alofa’aga Sao 76’), 4 Filo Paulo, 5 Senio Toleafoa, 6 Henry Stowers (19 Jack Lam 56’), 7 TJ Ioane, 8 Piula Fa’asalele (capt.) (20 Afa Amosa HT), 9 Pele Cowley (21 Auvasa Faleali’i 46’), 10 AJ Alatimu (22 Reynold Lee-Lo 46’), 11 Alapati Leiua, 12 Henry Taefu, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 14 Johnny Vaili (23 JJ Taulagi 46’), 15 Ahsee Tuala
USA
1 Chance Wenglewski (17 David Ainu’u 56’), 2 James Hilterbrand (16 Dylan Fawsitt 73’), 3 Paul Mullen (18 Paddy Ryan 56’), 4 Ben Landry (19 Nate Brakeley 69’), 5 Greg Peterson, 6 Tony Lamborn, 7 John Quill, 8 Cam Dolan (20 Ben Pinkelman HT), 9 Ruben de Haas, 10 AJ MacGinty, 11 Martin Iosefo (21 Nate Augspurger 65’), 12 Paul Lasike, 13 Bryce Campbell, 14 Blaine Scully (capt.), 15 Will Hooley
Not used: 22 Will Magie, 23 Madison Hughes
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
Assistants: Damon Murphy (ARU) & Tevita Rokovereni (FRU)
