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The USA Falcons ended their stay in Bloemfontein with a 33-15 loss to the Pumas on Friday. While they will be disappointed with some of the tries conceded, it was a clear step up from last week’s effort against the Cheetahs with the set piece causing real problems for the Currie Cup champions.
A sustained effort from the USA saw them camped inside Pumas territory to start the match, but accuracy was lacking and no points were taken. When the Pumas finally got some attacking ball the Falcons defense was bunched up and left a gap for an unmarked Tinus de Beer to run onto Kwanda Dimaza’s offload for a simple try under the posts.
The Pumas were under immense pressure at the scrum and a penalty against the head earned territory for the USA. Soon after Duncan van Schalkwyk slotted three points to get the visitors on the board.
Not long after, however, a turnover in their own territory gave the ball back to the Pumas. Quick hands out wide to Sebastian de Klerk saw the No14 connecting with fellow winger Lundi Msenge for a second try to make the halftime score 14-3 to the South African side.
The second half started poorly for the Falcons, with two soft tries conceded. Eduan Swart grabbed the first, the hooker breaking from a maul and driving through the tackle attempt of Ryan Rees. André Fouché was next to touch down after a wild pass from Mitch Wilson left Chris Mattina isolated.
A try from first phase possession added to the USA’s frustration. The Pumas backline used a simple loop maneuver that caught the wide defense at sixes and sevens. Devon Williams showed a clean pair of heels around the corner, and worked a give-and-go with Giovan Snyman to score in the corner.
To their credit, the USA finished strongly instead of fading. Replacements Paul Lasike and Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz added go-forward and Mattina, now playing flyhalf, slipped through a gap to score the first try. A second just before full-time saw slick handling from Mattina and Tavite Lopeti freeing Conner Mooneyham for the finish.
That concludes the warm-up fixtures for the USA, who now turn their eyes towards the World Cup Qualifiers. Those selected for the senior Eagles squad will travel directly to Dubai. The opening match of the Repechage tournament will see the USA playing Kenya on November 6.
SCORING
PUMAS 33
Tries – T. de Beer (19′), L. Msenge (36′), E. Swart (44′), A. Fouche (53′), D. Williams (63′)
Cons – T. de Beer 4/5 (20′, 37′, 54′, 64′)
FALCONS 15
Tries – C. Mattina (67′), C. Mooneyham (78′)
Cons – C. Mattina 1/2 (68′)
Pens – D. van Schalkwyk 1/1 (31′)
TEAMS
PUMAS
1 Corné Fourie, 2 Jacques Momberg, 3 Ignatius Prinsloo, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 5 Shane Kirkwood, 6 Jaco Labuschagne, 7 Kwanda Dimaza, 8 André Fouché, 9 Chriswill September, 10 Tinus de Beer (capt.), 11 Lundi Msenge, 12 Ali Mgijima, 13 Diego Appollis, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 15 Devon Williams
Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Etienne Janeke, 18 Njabulo Gumede, 19 Jeandré Leonard, 20 Llewellyn Classen, 21 Giovan Snyman, 22 Wian van Niekerk, 23 Sihle Njezula
USA FALCONS
1 Chance Wenglewski, 2 Kaleb Geiger, 3 Angus MacLellan, 4 Siaosi Mahoni, 5 Cam Dolan, 6 Benjamín Bonasso, 7 Moni Tonga’uiha, 8 Michael de Waal, 9 Ryan Rees, 10 Duncan van Schalkwyk, 11 Chris Mattina, 12 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 13 Tavite Lopeti, 14 Conner Mooneyham, 15 Mitch Wilson
Replacements: 16 Dylan Fawsitt, 17 Faka’osi Pifeleti, 18 Nathan Sylvia, 19 Keni Nasoqeqe, 20 Cory Daniel, 21 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, 22 Nate Augspurger, 23 Paul Lasike
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistants: Dylan November (South Africa) & Darren Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
