All Blacks put century on Eagles in DC

The All Blacks put the USA to the sword in the nation’s capital on Saturday with the final score reading 104-14 to the visitors. New Zealand were playing in honor of their fallen comrade Sean Wainui and were in no mood to take it easy on their hosts. The result was the second-highest score ever against the USA behind only England’s 106-8 win at Twickenham in 1999.

It was the worst possible start for the USA as the All Blacks raced in for a try on the opening kickoff. Damian McKenzie took the outside on Bryce Campbell and when the Eagles captain dove to attempt the tackle he took out Ryan James, leaving a clear run down the line with the finish for Luke Jacobson.

Within minutes Ethan de Groot was over for their second, and like clockwork the tries began to rain in from every angle. Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie were next, followed by a second from Jacobson and one to Richie Mo’unga. Jordan then notched his double followed by a try to Quinn Tupaea before a run-in under the posts for prop Angus Ta’avao made it 59-nil.

The Eagles finally got a break with a bit of individual magic from Nate Augspurger. Nate Brakeley’s dummy line held the post defense and Augspurger shot through the gap that opened up. The scrumhalf turned McKenzie inside out to touch down under the posts with Luke Carty adding the extras.

Hopes for a more concerted defensive effort from the USA were dashed instantly as Ta’avao crossed for a brace in the first minute of the second half. Some brief respite was offered before Dalton Papali’i strode through to become the eighth All Black to touch down.

A second try would come to the USA through Ryan Matyas. Augspurger went quick at a penalty and with the New Zealand defense on retreat, a quick recycle put Matyas in a one-on-one against Jordan. The veteran winger had the strength to keep his legs in the air and ground the ball as Jordan attempted to pull him into touch. Carty nailed the sideline conversion.

Celebrations returned to frowns before the Eagles could catch their breath. Anton Lienert-Brown went over in the corner with his first touch of the ball after coming on as a replacement just seconds before. Beauden Barrett was next to find the line, followed by a third for Jordan and one from Dane Coles.

There was a prolonged stoppage in play as USA flanker Andrew Guerra was carted off the field after suffering a serious leg injury in the build up to the Coles try. When play resumed the Eagles were left with only 14 men and with time expired TJ Perenara’s try put the score over the century mark.

With the proposed match against Ireland in Las Vegas cancelled and no European tour in November, the Eagles bring a close to their season and are now on hiatus until their World Cup Qualifying series against Chile in July. New Zealand move on to Cardiff to play Wales next Saturday.

 

SCORING

USA 14
Tries – N. Augspurger (40′), R. Matyas (52′)
Cons – L. Carty 2/2 (40′, 53′)

NEW ZEALAND 104
Tries – L. Jacobson 2 (1′, 20′), E. de Groot (6′), W. Jordan 3 (9′, 30′, 70′), D. McKenzie (13′), R. Mo’unga (25′), A. Ta’avao 2 (33′, 41′), Q. Tupaea (36′), D. Papali’i (48′), A. Lienert-Brown (55′), B. Barrett (67′), D. Coles (78′), T. Perenara (80’+1′)
Cons – R. Mo’unga 9/12 (2′, 7′, 14′, 21′, 26′, 34′, 37′, 42′, 49′), D. McKenzie 3/4 (68′, 71′, 80’+2′)

 

TEAMS

USA EAGLES
1 Matt Harmon (17 Faka’osi Pifeleti 58′), 2 Dylan Fawsitt (16 Chad Gough 50′), 3 Paul Mullen (18 Dino Waldren 74′), 4 Nate Brakeley (19 Siaosi Mahoni 56′), 5 Nick Civetta, 6 Benjamín Bonasso, 7 Hanco Germishuys (*21 Andrew Guerra 69′), 8 Cam Dolan (20 Moni Tonga’uiha 44′), 9 Nate Augspurger, 10 Luke Carty, 11 Ryan Matyas (22 Michael Baska 56′), 12 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 13 Tavite Lopeti, 14 Ryan James (23 Mike Dabulas HT), 15 Will Hooley

*21 Andrew Guerra left the field with injury at 78 minutes and could not be replaced

NEW ZEALAND ALL BLACKS
1 Ethan de Groot (17 George Bower 50′), 2 Asafo Aumua (16 Dane Coles 50′), 3 Angus Ta’avao (18 Tyrel Lomax 50′), 4 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Sam Whitelock (capt.) (19 Josh Lord 58′), 6 Luke Jacobson, 7 Dalton Papali’i (20 Sam Cane 50′), 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 9 Finlay Christie (21 TJ Perenara 54′), 10 Richie Mo’unga (22 Beauden Barrett 58′), 11 George Bridge (23 Anton Lienert-Brown 54′), 12 Quinn Tupaea, 13 Braydon Ennor, 14 Will Jordan, 15 Damian McKenzie

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistants: Moe Chaudhry (Canada) & Scott Green (USA)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)

 

Attendance: 39,720