USA surpass expectations in strong showing vs England

The USA Eagles returned to the test match arena today. In their first match since RWC 2019, the North Americans took on powerhouses England at their home ground of Twickenham in London. England were heavy favorites to win and win they did. England completed a 43-29 victory. For the Eagles the result surpassed expectations as they put on a strong showing against the RWC 2019 runners-up.

The Eagles were the first on the score sheet. LA Giltinis fly half Luke Carty landed a long-range penalty to open the scoring. England resided with a try. They did so with two scores wherein Mike Te’o was targeted. The first was from the kick-off. They kicked for Te’o only for England to chase and gather. The second saw an overlap with Te’o advancing to be caught out of position.

With two of the tries converted England had a 12-3 lead. It quickly became 19-3; England’s third score saw a quick tap penalty from Harry Randall resulting in Joe Cokanasiga touching down in the try zone.

It was the first of two for Cokanasiga. His second did not take long to be registered. It came following impressive work from debutant Marcus Smith. With two Cokanasiga scores in the try zone England were in firm control with a 26-3 lead.

The USA Eagles were not interested in conceding defeat; rather, their never say die attitude was rewarded. Greg Peterson converted his Premiership form into the test arena. His gathered high-ball resulted in a try for Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz.

England responded with their fifth try. It came from Peterson’s Newcastle Falcons teammate. Hooker Jamie Blamire punished scrum-half. He charged down a Ruben de Haas kick at a lineout. The score gave England a 31-8 lead.

What England could do, so too could the Eagles. NOLA Gold N8 Cam Dolan charged down a kick from scrum-half Harry Randall. Luke Carty converted to make it a 31-15 scoreline.

England responded through Harry Randall and Marcus Smith. Both players crossed for tries. Yet, the USA were far from throwing in the towel. To the contrary, Rugby United New York’s Hanco Germishuys charged over for the Eagles. A further try safe Christian Dyer scoring as the USA outscored England in the second half.

The entertaining match served both teams well. England now turn their attention to Canada. That match will take place next Saturday at Twickenham Stadium. The USA Eagles travel to Dublin to face Ireland next Saturday.

 

SCORING

ENGLAND 43
Tries – S. Underhill (7’), O. Lawrence (14’), J. Cokanasiga 2 (24’, 31’), J. Blamire (50’), M. Smith (36’), H. Randall (70’)
Cons – M. Smith 4/7 (15’, 25’, 32’, 70’)

USA 29
Tries – J. Fa’anana-Schultz (42’), C. Dolan (57’), H. Germishuys (74’), C. Dyer (78’)
Cons – L. Carty 3/4 (58’, 75’, 78’)
Pens – L. Carty 1/1 (6’)

 

TEAMS

ENGLAND
1 Ellis Genge (17 Beno Obano 59’), 2 Curtis Langdon (16 Jamie Blamire 48’), 3 Joe Heyes (18 Trevor Davison 55’), 4 Josh McNally (19 Ted Hill 48’), 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Lewis Ludlow (capt.) (20 Ben Curry 53’), 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Callum Chick (21 Lewis Ludlam 53’), 9 Harry Randall, 10 Marcus Smith, 11 Max Malins (23 Jacob Umaga 10’), 12 Ollie Lawrence (22 Dan Robson 35’), 13 Henry Slade, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Freddie Steward

USA
1 David Ainu’u (17 Matt Harmon 75’), 2 Mike Sosene-Feagai (16 Joe Taufete’e 48’), 3 Paul Mullen (18 Dino Waldren 48’), 4 Greg Peterson, 5 Nick Civetta (19 Nate Brakeley 52’), 6 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz (20 Psalm Wooching 52’), 7 Riekert Hattingh, 8 Cam Dolan (21 Hanco Germishuys 67’), 9 Ruben de Haas (22 Michael Baska 71’), 10 Luke Carty, 11 Mika Kruse, 12 Calvin Whiting, 13 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 14 Mike Te’o, 15 Marcel Brache (23 Christian Dyer 35’)

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistants: Romain Poite (France) & Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)