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USA vs CAN
Pacific Nations Cup
Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California
USA
vs
Canada
28
FT
15
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 28 - 15
The USA have resumed their dominance against North American rivals Canada, opening their Pacific Nations Cup campaign with a crucial victory. Make sure you join us again on Tribe next week for more PNC pool play action, as Tonga host Fiji, and the USA travel to Japan. It's been a pleasure bringing you all the action from Los Angeles this afternoon. For now, Harrison Ryburn signing out.
After suffering a heavy defeat to Japan last weekend, the Canucks were a lot more competitive against their arch-rivals this afternoon. They still lacked the execution and accuracy to pick up the win though, and a handling error count in the double digits was what really hampered their effort. Time and time again they broke through the American defensive line, only to drop it forward whilst hot on the attack, particuarly in the second half. Jones will feel it was an improvement from that showing against the Brave Blossoms, but there's still a clear sense of frustration amongst the side at the final whistle. Flesch and Quattrin had some good moments in the pack, whilst Owuru added some energy and physicality off the bench. Nelson and Higgns also led the side around well in the halves, whilst Benn was the standout in the backline. They now get a two-week break, before returning for a likely fifth-place play-off against Tonga in Tokyo.
It was scrappy from the USA at times, and their discipline proved a major issue, but the Eagles have held firm to record a 13th victory over Canada in their last 15. They started strong and a couple of early Mooneyham tries gave them some early confidence which they were able to build off. That control continued on through the contest, and fly-half Luke Carty was particuarly impressive with two try assists and a strong kicking game that allowed the Eagles to dictate territory and attacking possession. Their pack also took charge up front, disrupting at line-out time and winning a number of penalties at scrum time. Pifiteli, Fa'anana-Schultz, and Peterson were all impressive in that area, and their physicality and power was immense in the pack. The pressure now comes off ahead of their trip to Kumagaya for another pool match with Japan next weekend, and they'll get the chance to use it to prepare for a possible PNC semi-final with Fiji the week after.
Fulltime in Los Angeles and the USA have resumed dominance against their North American rivals with a 13-point victory over Canada to start their Pacific Nations Cup campaign. Two early tries from Conner Mooneyham out wide on the right wing set the Eagles on their way inside the first 15 minutes, and they always looked in control despite a valiant effort from the Canucks. A ten minute period in the second half which saw the Maple Leafs reduced to 14 proved decisive, and the hosts scored all ten of their remaining points in that time to confirm the victory. It's a result that seals the USA's spot in the PNC semi-finals with a match to spare, and their first win of the 2024 international season, whilst Canada will now set about preparing for a fifth-place play-off in Tokyo.
80'
McVeigh feeds the scrum, before Lopeti carries up the middle. The hosts look to keep it tight with the time ticking down, and they do well to hold onto possession without any trouble. Eventually it comes back for Carty, and he clears to touch off his right boot to seal victory.
79'
Takoda McMullin picks up the loose ball and sprints away towards the try-line from 40m out. He's cut down inches short of the line by Augspurger though, and the winger spills it forward on the line. Yet another Canadian handling error and the USA will feed a scrum 5m off their line.
78'
Carty finds touch on halfway from the penalty, and they set the drive off the line-out. McVeigh spins it away out to the right for Augspurger, who loses it backwards slightly. The winger hangs onto it though, and the USA set a few phases inside their own half, before losing it to ground.
77'
Scrum feed for the USA on their own 22m line following the Canadian handling error, and McVeigh rolls it in. The front rows go down though, and the referee blows the penalty in favour of the hosts with Davis applying the pressure.
75'
McVeigh feeds the scrum, before Carty clears up towards halfway again. Canada take the line-out quickly this time, and Rumball makes a carry through the middle. 35m out for the visitors here, but Takoda McMullin is cut down in a heavy tackle, and they spill it forward moments later.