Americas Pacific Challenge: USA Selects Beat Canada A

The USA Selects won 45-26 against Canada A in the final Americas Pacific Challenge match, held at Estadio Charrua in Montevideo, Uruguay. The USA Selects split their first two matches, losing to Samoa A 48-28 and beating Uruguay A 49-36 and are in second place in the standings. Canada A lost both their matches to a strong Argentina XV team 71-17 and then to Tonga A 31-15 and are in third place in their pool.

With the win, the USA Selects finished second overall in the Americas Pacific Challenge, as Argentina XV captured the title. Canada A went winless in Uruguay and finished sixth overall.

The match as broadcast on The Rugby Channel and on World Rugby outside the U.S.

USA Selects v Canada A Recap

The USA Selects closed out Americas Pacific Challenge with a 45-26 victory against Canada A.  Argentina XV is favored over Uruguay A in the final match of the tournament and will win the title with a win. The USA Selects would finish second, while Canada, winless in the tournament will finish in sixth place.

First Half

The USA Selects scored four tries to two for Canada, for a 26-12 lead at the break.

It took five minutes before the USA Selects Hanco Germishuys dotted down the first of his four tries on the day. After the conversion by JP Eloff, the score was 7-0.  Three minutes later, Canada quickly answered back after a USA turnover and Kainoa Lloyd grounded the ball in the corner to narrow the lead to 7-5.

The USA added a try by Bryce Campbell from an overload by Josh Whippy and after Eloff’s conversion, it was 14-5. After a Tim Maupin break, the USA Selects went through 12 phases before a Hanco Germishuys try under the posts, giving Eloff an easy conversion. That try showed excellent ball-handling skills and patience.

Canada then took advantage of a USA penalty at midfield and kicked to touch. From the ensuing lineout, which turned into a maul, Ray Barkwill dove in for the try. Robbie Povey added the conversion and the score was 21-12.

The final try before the break was a team effort with forwards and backs linking in their passing and Angus MacClellan taking an overload from Mike McCarthy for a try for a 26-12 lead at the break.

Second Half

Canada pushed the USA during the second half and Lucas Rumball barrelled his way over the line from short range in the 47th minute. Povey converted again to narrow the score to within one converted try, 26-19.

The USA Selects came back with a try by Ruben de Haas that was converted by Ben Cima to increase their lead to 33-19. Canada answered back with a Guiseppe du Toit try and Povey conversion after over 20 phases and the score was 33-26.

In the 71st minute, Canada’s Cole Keith learned that commenting demonstratively about an assist of scrum call from Assistant Referee wasn’t the best decision. He was sent to the bin and Canada played the remainder of the match down a man.

Hanco Germishuys quickly added a hat-trick try and Cima converted and then added a fourth try to close out the match with a 45-26 win.

Conclusion

The USA Selects used their ball handling skills to attack the Canadian defense. Canada ‘s strength was in the scrums, causing several USA penalties and having the Selects on their back foot.

There were strong performances form Holden Yungert, Bryce Campbell and Josh Whippy.  Both Ruben de Haas and Ben Cima performed well as reserves. JP Eloff and Tim Maupin had outstanding days, as did Ben Landry at flanker before he left prior to the break. Hanco Germishuys had to be the Man of the Match after his four-try performance.

The Americas Pacific Challenge is designed to provide high-performance opportunities in the effort to develop players. In this regard, it was a success. The USA has steadily increased it’s Eagles player pool and will provide new Eagles head coach, Gary Gold with options.

The development of coaches is also a consideration. Scott Lawrence and his staff should also be complimented for their leadership.

The USA Selects vs. Canada Preview

The USA Selects vs. Canada Preview of the teams may also be read.

Americas Pacific Challenge: The USA Selects vs. Canada A Squads

Canada A: 1. Hubert Buydens 2. Ray Barkwill 3. Cole Keith 4. Adrian Wadden 5. Conor Keys 6. Kyle Gilmour (C) 7. Lucas Rumball 8. Dustin Dobravsky 9. Andrew Ferguson 10. Robbie Povey 11. Conor Desmond 12. Patrick Parfrey 13. Mike Nieuwenhuysen 14. Kainoa Lloyd 15. Guiseppe du Toit 16. Martial Lagain 17. Liam Murray 18. Ryan Kotlewski 19. Liam Chisholm 20. Travis Larsen 21. Jorden Sandover-Best 22. Brett Johnson 23. Aidan McMullan

Non-playing reserves: Eric Howard, Rob Brouwer, Peter Milazzo, Mitchell Richardson

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