USA out of World Cup after Portugal draw

First the first time ever, the Rugby World Cup will not have any North American presence. The USA joined Canada on the sidelines after a 16-all draw against Portugal on Friday. An 82nd-minute penalty goal from Samuel Marques did the job, with Os Lobos qualifying for France on overall points differential.

Early nerves were calmed as AJ MacGinty slotted a penalty goal, but the Eagles were soon in trouble. Nate Augspurger was penalised for a late tackle on Jerónimo Portela, and after a TMO review the officials controversially determined it was worthy of a yellow card. Portugal took immediate advantage, attacking the space where the winger would have been with Raffaele Storti stepping back inside for the try. Marques slotted the conversion.

Once back at full strength the USA pushed into Portuguese territory and won a scrum penalty. MacGinty found the corner, and on the ensuing attack the Lobos were guilty of repeated offsides. José Lima was dispatched for 10 minutes and MacGinty took the three points on offer.

A third opportunity at the sticks for MacGinty went begging after the Eagles had come out on top of a kicking exchange. The USA scrum started to creak under pressure and Marques’ radar was on, with his shot at goal successful to make it a four-point game. Before the halftime whistle came MacGinty found his range to make it 10-9 to the Lobos with 40 minutes to play.

The USA had territory to start the second half but a quick lineout and a searing breakout by Portugal from their own end reversed position. Another scrum penalty gave Marques a chance for three, but he couldn’t connect. He would get a chance to redeem himself moments later after a breakdown penalty and this time the kick was good.

While the scrum was tipping towards Os Lobos, the lineout was in the USA’s favor. Steals from Cam Dolan and Ben Bonasso ripped back possession for the Eagles. Paul Lasike put his team on the doorstep with a charging run and when a penalty came, a quick tap led to a try under the posts from Kapeli Pifeleti. It was a double-blow for the Lobos as Francisco Fernandes saw yellow for a cynical infringement.

There was no scoring while Fernandes was off the pitch. When he returned, a pinpoint kick from MacGinty pinned Os Lobos on their 5-meter line. The USA gave away a penalty at the scrum, however, and soon Portugal were back on US soil. Another lineout steal gave the USA possession but the clearance kick gained little ground, and the Lobos began to press. With advantage Jeronimo Portela’s drop-kick bounced off the upright. Marques then lined up his shot, and there was no mistake as the Portuguese supporters erupted in jubilation.

It will be just the second time Os Lobos have been to the World Cup, the first time since 2007. For the Eagles, it’s just the second time they have failed to qualify having also missed out on 1995. World Rugby are now left to ponder the game’s flagship tournament taking place without the team that will host the event in 2031.

 

SCORING

USA 16
Tries – K. Pifeleti (59′)
Cons – A. MacGinty 1/1 (60′)
Pens – A. MacGinty 3/4 (2′, 22′, 40′)
YC – N. Augspurger (5′)

PORTUGAL 16
Tries – R. Storti (8′)
Cons – S. Marques 1/1 (9′)
Pens – S. Marques 3/5 (37′, 49′, 80’+2′)
DG – J. Portela 0/1
YC – J. Lima (21′), F. Fernandes (60′)

 

TEAMS

USA
1 David Ainu’u (18 Nathan Sylvia 79′), 2 Kapeli Pifeleti (16 Mikey Sosene-Feagai 65′), 3 Paul Mullen (17 Jack Iscaro 65′), 4 Greg Peterson, 5 Cam Dolan, 6 Vili Helu (19 Benjamín Bonasso 47′), 7 Cory Daniel, 8 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz (20 Moni Tonga’uiha 76′), 9 Ruben de Haas, 10 AJ MacGinty (capt.), 11 Nate Augspurger, 12 Paul Lasike, 13 Bryce Campbell, 14 Christian Dyer, 15 Mitch Wilson

Not used: 21 Chris Mattina, 22 Luke Carty, 23 Tavite Lopeti

PORTUGAL
1 Francisco Fernandes, 2 Mike Tadjer (17 Lionel Campergue 70′), 3 Diogo Ferreira (18 António Prim 70′), 4 Steevy Cerqueira (19 José Rebelo de Andrade 78′), 5 José Madeira, 6 João Granate, 7 Rafael Simões, 8 Thibault de Freitas (20 Nicolás Martíns 65′), 9 Samuel Marques, 10 Jerónimo Portela, 11 Rodrigo Marta, 12 Tomás Appleton (capt.), 13 José Lima (22 Vincent Pinto 60′), 14 Raffaele Storti (16 David Costa 63′-70′), 15 Nuno Sousa Guedes (23 Simão Bento 77′)

Not used: 21 Pedro Lucas

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistants: Damián Schneider (Argentina) & AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
TMO: Chris Hart (New Zealand)