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Against all odds, USA book spot in RWC qualifying bout with Uruguay
By Tom Vinicombe
Heading into their two-match series with Canada to determine who would have the more manageable road to World Cup qualification, USA were heavy favourites.
While Canada had held the wool over their opposition for the formative years of their rivalry, winning 39 of their 51 matches up until 2013, the Eagles have made great progress in the last decade and taken the 'big brother' tag off their northern rivals to go unbeaten from 2014 until 2019.
The launch of the MLR has seen a huge increase in the number of professional players throughout America and while the rugby scene in the United States has flourished, Canada has floundered.
As such, Canada's 34-21 victory in Newfoundland came as a huge shock - and left the USA with some big ground to make up if they wanted to face a more straightforward path to the 2023 World Cup.
They made that ground up with ease in today's clash in Colorado, however, racing out to a 25-9 lead at halftime, and ultimately triumphing 38-16.
The Eagles scored three tries in the first half through South African-born flanker Hanco Germishuys but the highlight of the first 40 minutes was undoubtedly a 45-metre drop goal from halfback Ruben de Haas to take the score out to 28-9.
De Haas was also on hand to score USA's first try of the second half before prop Joe Taufete'e smashed his way over from the back of a driving maul.
Canada scored the final points of the game through a penalty try, but it wasn't enough to dampen the USA's mood - or prevent them from taking the overall series win.
The 22-point victory means the Eagles finish the series ahead 59-50 on aggregate and will progress to playing Uruguay next month in another two-game series. The overall winner of that series will take the Americas 1 spot for Rugby World Cup 2023, dropping them in Pool A alongside New Zealand, France and Italy.
Although the United States have traditionally held the wood over Uruguay in their fixtures over the years, Uruguay won the last match between the two sides, 32-25.
Canada, meanwhile, will have to best Chile over two matches, with the winner going on to play the loser of the series between the USA and Uruguay to decide the Americas 2 qualifier.
The loser of Canada v Chile will drop out of the qualifying race altogether while the loser of the Americas 2 play-off could still progress through in the final qualifying tournament.
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Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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