The USA Rugby Men’s Eagles vs Samoa

The 15th ranked Men’s Eagles faced 16th ranked Samoa in their first test match of November on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, at Estadio Anoeta, in San Sebastian, Spain. The Eagles emerged with a 30-29 win, their first ever over Samoa.

The U.S. will now travel to Bucharest, Romania for next Saturday’s match against the Oaks.

Recap

The USA jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the 11th minute as Joe Taufete’e stretched low over the line and Will Hooley then converted. Hooley added a penalty kick to increase the lead to 10-0 and Hanco Germishuys gathered a Ruben de Haas box kick and raced 50 meters for a try for a 15-0 lead.

Then it was Samoa’s time to answer back. Logovi’i Mulipola powered in for a try from 5-meters out. Tusi Pisi then converted to cut the lead to 15-7. A broken tackle and an offload to Ed Fidow for a try then cut the lead to 15-14 after Pisi’s conversion.

Melawi Matavao added a third try and Pisi was perfect again to take Samoa’s first lead of the match, 21-15.

The Eagles answered right back on the restart with Nick Civetta tackle and a Samoa offload was intercepted by Cam Dolan for a try in the left corner, cutting the lead to 21-20 at the break.

Second Half

On the restart to begin the second half, the USA mishandled the ball and JJ Aulagii scooped the ball and went in to score a soft try to increase Samoa’s lead to 26-20.

The teams went back and forth for an extended time before Will Hooley attempted a penalty kick. His foot slipped and this resulted in a 22-meter drop for Samoa. Soon after Cam Dolan intercepted his second pass for a try. Hooley then converted to take a 27-26 lead.

Samoa answered back after a penalty advantage with replacement flyhalf D’Angelo Leuila slotting the kick to reclaim the lead 29-27.

Samoa was then penalized for side entry into an Eagles maul and Will Hooley slotted a 39-meter kick on an angle for the Eagles first ever win over Samoa 30-29.

It’s a tough call for the Man of the Match for the U.S. Cam Dolan had two tries and Will Hooley with his clutch kick for the win both gain my support.

Congratulations to the U.S. and to Gannon Moore, Deverauux Ferris, and David Ainuu on their first caps.

USA Men’s Eagles: 1 Titi Lamositele 2 Joe Taufete’e 3 Paul Mullin 4 Greg Peterson 5 Nick Civetta 6 John Quill 7 Tony Lamborn 8 Cam Dolan 9 Ruben de Haas 10 Will Hooley 11 Ryan Matyas 12 Paul Lasike 13 Bryce Campbell 14 Gannon Moore* 15 Blaine Scully (C) 16 Dylan Fawsitt 17 Davis Ainuu* 18 Dino Waldren 19 David Tameilau 20 Hanco Germishuys 21 Devereaux Ferris* 22 Will Magie 23 Tim Maupin

Samoa: 1 Logovi’i Mulipola 2 Motu Matu’u 3 Paul Alo-Emile 4 Kane Leaupepe* 5 Filo Paulo 6 Josh Tyrell 7 Jack Lam (C)) 8 Fafili Levave (9 Melani Matavao 10 Tusi Pisi 11 JJ Taulagi 12 Alapati Leiua 13 Lee-Lo Rey 14 Ed Fidow 15 Ah See Tuala 16 Ray Niuia* 17 Jordan 18 James 19 Ben Nee-Nee* 20 Iakopo Petelo-Mapu21 Dwayne Polataivao 22 D’Angelo Leuila 23 Stacey Ili*