THE United States of America rugby team remains unbeaten after two games in the Pacific Nations Cup after defeating Samoa at the death 13-10 yesterday at the ANZ Stadium in Suva yesterday.
USA was awarded a penalty in the first 10 minutes which was converted by AJ Macginty to lead 3-0.
Samoa had possession of the ball as Alapati Leiua bust through the USA defence to score and put them ahead 5-3.
The try was converted by AJ Alatimu pushing them to 7-3.
In the first-half, the ball was mainly played in Samoa’s territory.
USA attacked and AJ Macginty scored his second try at the left corner leaving the points 7-8.
Converted 7-10 before halftime 7-10.
It was anybody’s game at half-time where Samoa regrouped and managed to get back in their game.
USA was penalised for playing the ball in the ruck for a penalty to be awarded to Samoa in the last 10 minutes.
A penalty kick was made successful by Henry Taefu which left both the teams in a tie 10-10.
USA managed to maintain a clean game and was awarded a penalty with a successful kick again by AJ Macginty.
USA team captain Blaine Scully said Samoa had challenged the team and put them up to a tough match.
“It was a really tight contest and Samoa has a good team with really good players,” Scully said.
“We were put on pressure most of the time. It was our last execution that was the reason we dominated and had more territory in the first half that we would have liked to get more out of. We are grateful for the results but we obviously have done lot of learning and there’s a great amount that we want to take out of this.”
Samoa’s coach Steve Jackson said they could have played a better game, but they had learned a lot from their second PNC match.
“Quite disappointed with the result but if we are able to execute properly we would’ve come out with a better result but again this game is about giving the players an opportunity and that to show them that this is international rugby and not club football.
“We will move on from here, we have Fiji as our next match so we will the watch them and preview them for the game so we know where we stand and can improve from today,” said Jackson.
