Brazil defeated the USA 24-23 in Sao Paulo in the Americas Rugby Championship, giving the Brazilians their first win in the competition, and dealing a devastating blow to the USA’s chances of hoisting the trophy.

The very inexperienced Eagles team did just about everything they could do to play into Brazil’s hands. The Brazilian team scrummed well, but wasn’t overpowering in the rucks, were fast, but struggled to defend out wide, and kicked brilliantly.

(See Alex Goff's column on how the USA needed to respect Brazil)

So the USA team opted to fling the ball around, opening themselves up to turnovers and counter-attacks, kicked poorly, and committed penalties they didn’t need to commit.

The result was two early penalties from Lucas Duque. Then a very poor chase on a kick allowed a counter that led to a Brazil try, and after 15 minutes the Eagles trailed 13-0.

It was 18-0 when the Americans lost the ball on their scrum five meters from their line - a complete breakdown of pack unity allowed for a try and an 18-0 Brazil lead.

The USA started to play a little better, working the phases, and their first effort there produced a penalty in front of the posts, which James Bird slotted.

Then, finally, some good news, as from a lineout the USA crashed Andrew Suniula up the middle, and quickly recycled the ball out to hooker Jose Taufete’e, who was pushed over for a try.

At 18-8, the USA looked like the were in position to close even further with a penalty and lineout at the end of the first half, but they lost that lineout, and the half ended.

In the second half, it was more USA penalties, although the US defense held firm. Finally, from a lineout the Eagles sent Birds through a gap, and he passed back to scrumhalf Niku Kruger who found flanker Aladdin Schirmer on the wing. Schirmer just barely caught the ball and went over to make it 18-13.

But more penalties gave three of those points back, and it continued to be a battle. Down 21-13 the Eagles sent the ball wide to Mike Te’o. On as a sub on the wing, Te’o provided a bit of a spark, and he brought through several tackles before feeding back to Kruger for the try. Bird slotted the conversion to make it a one-point game.

It was almost a USA lead moments later. Some good tackling in the backline jarred the ball loose, and Chad London picked it up, stayed in bounds, and then kicked ahead for Tim Stanfill to chase. Stanfill and London both reached the ball, but one of them knocked it on in-goal. 

There followed a long series of USA offensive effort, but not much real success. Eventually, though, a penalty in front of the posts was put over by Kruger, and the USA finally led.

Unfortunately, up only 23-21, the Eagles opted to try to kill off the game, rather than extend their lead. The result was an ill-advised penalty attempt from 52 meters out for JP Eloff - he missed - and a lot of kicking, often right to a Brazilian player.

With time almost up the USA forwards played pick-and-go to finish the game. But poor security at one ruck allowed a Brazilian counter-ruck, and a penalty. From there it was the simple matter of a lineout, maul, penalty, and Duque putting the kick over.

Overall USA fans might point to the hot, humid weather hurting the USA effort, and the inexperience of many of the players. But the team made a series of silly errors. A really good try-scoring opportunity was lost when a USA player tried a no-look pass from the ground. Bird kicked a 22 dropout out on the full. Kruger was told not to lower then raise the ball before putting in at the scrum, and then did it again to give up a penalty.

Players got the ball slowly, and forwards found themselves alone, with no support, in the middle of the field.

It was a complete failure of tactical awareness, and resulted in a well-deserved loss.

As a result, the USA falls to 2-1-1 i the ARC. 

Canada plays Argentina on Sunday and that game may well decide who wins the competition. The Eagles will be hoping for a tie or a Canada win.

 

Americans Rugby Championship 2016
Team	W	L	T	Pf	Pa	Pd	BT	BL	Pts
USA	2	1	1	152	81	71	3	1	14
Argentina	2	0	1	111	71	40	2	0	12
Canada	2	1	0	100	72	28	2	0	10
Uruguay	2	2	0	94	106	-12	1	1	10
Chile	1	3	0	60	161	-101	0	1	5
Brazil	1	3	0	100	126	-26	1	2	7

 

USA 23

Tries: Taufete'e, Schirmer, Kruger

Convs: Bird

Pens: Bird, Kruger

 

Brazil 24

Tries: D. Sancery, L. Duque

Convs: M. Duque

Pens: M. Duque 4

 

USA 1. Demecus Beach, 2. Joe Taufete'e, 3. Olive Kilifi (c), 4. Brodie Orth, 5. Ben Landry, 6. James King, 7. Aladdin Schirmer, 8. David Tameilau, 9. Niku Kruger, 10. James Bird, 11. Ryan Matyas, 12. Andrew Suniula, 13. Mike Garrity, 14. Kingsley McGowan, 15. Jake Anderson

Reserves: 16. Cam Falcon (DNP), 17. Eric Fry (@31 for Beach), 18. Mike Sosene-Feagai (@58 for Taufetee), 19. Hanco Germishuys (@76 for King), 20. Mike Te'o (@67 for McGowan), 21. JP Eloff (@70 for Bird), 22. Tim Stanfill (@52 for Matyas), 23. Chad London (@52 for Garrity).