Scotland Successful Over USA Men's Rugby at Audi Field
By Grant FeeleyTraveling to an international test rugby match is an experience that is better when shared with a friend of friends. Its challenges include bumper-to-bumper traffic, parking some distance from the venue, Ubering to the match, and walking back later. Rewards include gathering at pre-match events at places like Solace Outpost where socializing with other rugby enthusiasts and meeting face-to-face for the first time with people that you have communicated with over time occurs. Rugby stories are shared and excitement builds for the main event.
The march to the venue is also shared and being at a venue like Audi Field, with a near-capacity crowd of 17, 418 continues the experience that regardless of the outcome, will be remembered.
The 18th-ranked USA Men’s Rugby National Team lost 42-7 to 6th-ranked Scotland on July 12 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. The USA entered the match after a 22-20 loss to Romania to begin the Summer Series, while Scotland had a 73-12 win over Canada.
The USA demonstrated their guile in defense, especially in defending Scotland mauls and goalline stands. The team’s attack was stymied at key moments by handling errors and penalties. The team scored their sole try after a Scotland penalty led to a USA lineout from close range with Tommaso Boni grounding and AJ MaccGinty adding the extras.
Scotland controlled the possession and territory in the match and deserved the victory. The team avoided penalty goal attempts throughout the match, kicking to the corner after penalties to attempt to score tries.
Scotland opened the scoring in the 5th minute with Duhan van der Merwe demonstrating what an electric player he is on the wing. Adam Hastings proved his consistency with his boot adding conversions.
AJ MacGinty tried to cut the score through a penalty goal, however, the ball went wide of the posts.
Ewan Ashman added a brace as Scotland pushed their lead to 21-7 and with time dwindling before the break, USA fullback Luke Carty attempted an unsuccessful 55-meter penalty goal. This gave Scotland the ball and Ashman had a hat trick in the 43rd minute for a 28-7 Scotland lead at the break.
During the second half, Scotland would add two more tries, one by George Horne and another by Matt Fagerson to win 42-7.
Three new USA caps were awarded with Conner Mooneyham having a stellar start on the wing and Saia Uhila and Ethan McVeigh coming into the match during the second half and meeting the challenge of international play.
Scotland also saw their vice-captain Jamie Ritchie play in his 50th test match, which is quite the accomplishment.
The USA had many players who met the challenge of playing a team that had more international test experience. The team had many defensive standouts but will need to improve in their attack and keep more ball in hand before their match on August 31 against their Canadian rivals at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
While fans would have liked to have seen more USA scoring, their team and coaching staff will hopefully reflect on the experience and make the necessary adjustments in future test matches. These matches will continue in August against Canada and in September with three additional tests.
USA: 1. Jack Iscaro (7) 2. Dylan Fawsitt (29) 3. David Ainu’u (23) 4. Vili Helu (7) 5. Greg Peterson (C, 44) 6. Sam Golla (7) 7. Paddy Ryan (8) 8. Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz (11) 9. JP Smith (2) 10. AJ MacGinty (37) 11. Nate Augspurger (43) 12. Tommaso Boni (6) 13. Tavite Lopeti (14) 14. Conner Mooneyham (1( 15. Luke Carty (18) 16. Kapeli Pifeleti (11) 17. Jake Turnbull (7) 18. Paul Mullen (36) 19. Saia Uhila (1) 20. Ben Bonasso (6) 21. Ethan McVeigh (1 22. Bryce Campbell (46) 23. Mitch Wilson (8)
Scotland: 1. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (32) 2. Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (18) 3. Murphy Walker – Glasgow Warriors (4) 4. Alex Craig – Scarlets (3) 5. Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (39) 6. Jamie Ritchie – Vice-Captain – Edinburgh Rugby (50) 7. Rory Darge – Co-Captain – Glasgow Warriors (20) 8. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (46) 9. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (31) 10.Adam Hastings – Glasgow Warriors (28) 11. Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (40) 12. Sione Tuipulotu – Co-Captain – Glasgow Warriors (26) 13.Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (49) 14. Kyle Steyn – Vice-Captain – Glasgow Warriors (21)15. Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (5) 16. Robbie Smith – Northampton Saints (2) 17. Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (32)18. Elliot Millar Mills – Northampton Saints (5)19. Max Williamson – Glasgow Warriors (2) 20. Luke Crosbie – Edinburgh Rugby (10) 21. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (4) 22. Ross Thompson – Edinburgh Rugby (5) 23. Matt Currie – Edinburgh Rugby (2)