USA defeat Kenya to qualify for u20 Trophy Final

The USA secured a 30-17 victory over Kenya in World Rugby u20 trophy action on Friday. It completes a clean sweep of the pool stage and qualifies the Junior Eagles for the tournament finale that will take place on Wednesday in Edinburgh against either Scotland or Japan.

A dominant opening quarter for the USA didn’t quite yield the points that were on offer. Ollie Cline’s radar was off, the flyhalf missing two penalty goals and a conversion, with Max Threlkeld’s try after a Keelan Farrell break at least putting the Americans up by five.

Tito Edjua took over kicking duties but the inside center’s left boot erred at first opportunity. He made good on a second attempt soon after to make it a two-score game, but the kick was cancelled out by a routine three-pointer from James Olela just before halftime.

The USA began to pull away early in the second half. Edjua slotted a penalty goal and then Luke Schaefer punched in from close range. Farrell made another break down the left side and through he was stopped just short, the ball was recycled and Farrell’s second go put him in for the score.

Repeat infringements from the Kenyans handed the USA another opportunity at the hour mark, with Rand Santos stepping back inside the defense for a fourth American try. Kenya would close with a flourish with flying winger Samuel Otete inspiring two tries, one for himself and another seeing replacement Daniel Bett touching down on the end of a grubber.

It’s the first time the USA have qualified for the u20 Trophy Final since 2012, when they won the tournament hosted in Salt Lake City. Kenya finish the pool stage winless and will play Hong Kong in the 7th-place ranking match.

KENYA 17
Tries (2) – S. Otete (69′), D. Bett (72′)
Cons (2) – P. Okeyo 2/2 (70′, 73′)
Pens (1) – J. Olela 1/1 (37′)

USA 30
Tries (4) – M. Threlkeld (15′), L. Schaefer (45′), K. Farrell (53′), R. Santos (61′)
Cons (2) – O. Cline 0/1, T. Edjua 2/3 (46′, 54′)
Pens (2) – O. Cline 0/2, T. Edjua 2/3 (34′, 42′)

KENYA
1 Wicklife Ogutu, 2 Bramwel Mate, 3 Darrell Oluoch, 4 Eugene Etale, 5 Clein Omukhulu, 6 Edmond Onyango (capt.), 7 Andycole Omollo, 8 Iddo Kuta, 9 Patrick Wainaina, 10 Philip Okeyo, 11 Samuel Otete, 12 Mike Wamalwa, 13 James Olela, 14 Alvin Khavoli, 15 Jackson Siketi

Replacements: 16 Brian Huya, 17 Geylord Ngasi, 18 Ian Nyandusi, 19 Eddy Odhiambo, 20 Nathan Tsindoli, 21 Benadict Muiruri, 22 Daniel Bett, 23 Eugene Ojiambo

USA
1 John-Henry Rouse, 2 Seth Smith, 3 Luke Schaefer, 4 Brice Muller, 5 Miles Malone, 6 Daniel Lowther, 7 Holden Hahn, 7 Dylan Fortune, 9 Solomon Williams (capt.), 10 Ollie Cline, 11 Keelan Farrell, 12 Tito Edjua, 13 Max Threlkeld, 14 Jordan Vassel, 15 Rand Santos

Replacements: 16 Cade Crist, 17 Thomas Wagner, 18 Asbjorn Ross, 19 Braemar Murray, 20 Logan Ballinger, 21 Spencer Huntley, 22 Ben Saunders, 23 Judd Berman

Date: Friday, July 12
Venue: Hive Stadium, Edinburgh
Kickoff: 14:30 local
Weather: sunny, 66°F (19°C), wind S 4-6mph (6-10km/h)

Referee: Nicolae Fratila (Romania)
Assistants: Ruairidh Campbell (Scotland) & Chelsea Gillespie (Scotland)